Ignition system diagnosis

Unknown

With the assistance of a friend more knowledgeable than I am regarding

automotive electrical stuff, we went to work trying to figure out why I

can't start the Town Sedan these days.



When we first tested, we had a pretty good spark from the coil secondary

(lead to the distributor), but couldn't get any spark from the plug

wires. We replaced the ground wire on the distributor, which was very

frayed. Still nothing.



Then we went back and tested the coil spark again, and it was gone. Zip.

Nada. About this time, I discovered a loose screw holding one of the two

wires on the ignition switch. Tightened that. Still nothing.



We're currently focusing on an intermittently bad coil as the problem.

Thus, several questions:



1. We measure about 6,000 ohms between the negative primary side and the

secondary output, as well as between the positive primary and the

secondary output. Is that appropriate? What are the correct values for

resistance?



2. The wire leading from coil to distributor cap measures about 3,500

ohms. This is suppression wire. Is that appropriate?



3. The distributor rotor was broken and epoxied together by former

owner. Where can I get a replacement for that (and the cap, while I'm at

it?



4. Assuming I need a new coil, what's the desired replacement item? Will

any old 6-volt coil do?



5. What is the correct dwell reading?



6. Were OEM spark wires solid wires, rather than resistance wires?











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Lew Phelps

Pasadena, CA

1929 Hudson Town Sedan

http://home.earthlink.net/~hudsontownsedan