No spark

[RTC63]

I bought a '39 Oliver 70 last year, my first Oliver. It ran but needed to be tuned up very badly. Points, condenser, cap, rotor, wires, plugs. I got all the parts in one kit which may be the problem. Coil is fine, condenser is fine, points and rotor are all getting spark. The button under the cap is getting spark, but my plugs are not. No, I don't have the old parts anymore to substitute. The cap is a clip style Delco Remy. Might there be more than one rotor or cap to fit this distributer? I think the problem lies in that spot since all the plugs aren't getting juice. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[trackrat]

maybe rotor

 

[scootergmc]

You've chased it all the way to the cap, and it's not getting out to the wires? Have you checked at the wire output at the cap? If no spark present, I'd say you have a cap/rotor problem as well.

 

[RTC63]

I replaced the rotor and the condenser both and got the same thing. Reset my points several times... same thing. I just don't see a reason for the spark to be missing from all the plugs. Strange and frustrating. Done a hundred tune ups on all kinds of tractors but never saw this before. Thought maybe there was something I was missing with Olivers

 

[RTC63]

I think it's a cap rotor problem too, that's why spark is missing from all the plugs at the same time

 

[scootergmc]

Does it look like it should be working? I.E., the cap/rotor look similar to the old one? The rotor does too? Does the tab on the rotor need to be adjusted to make contact?

 

[Jim.ME]

Can you find any identifying numbers on the distributor? It looks like they used a couple different points, condensers, caps and rotors on Delco distributors.

Do you have the part numbers of what you have installed?

 

[RTC63]

yes there is a plate on it. 11412is all i can get off it.

 

[RTC63]

...11412 then there's a gap then a 002 number.

 

[RTC63]

The tune up parts all came together in one kit so I don't have individual numbers. This is where I think the problem is. If I look up parts on sites like YT they only give one number for a Delco distributor with spring clips reguardless. .I think that is not actually the case. One size does not fit all.

 

[Jim.ME]

The Delco Remy site shows 1111412 was a Magneto replacement (distributor). It was superseded by 1885666 distributors. What were the part numbers and vendor. I may be able to work from those. Standard motor products shows parts for two types of DR distributors.

 

[scootergmc]

1885666 is the Delco distributor p/n in the Oliver parts book. The cap is Oliver p/n is K7406 Delco 824735, and the rotor is Oliver K7416 and Delco 1905590.

 

[JOCCO]

The Delco Remy site shows 1111412 was a Magneto replacement (distributor). It was superseded by 1885666 distributors. What were the part numbers and vendor. I may be able to work from those. Standard motor products shows parts for two types of DR distributors.

Jim he has got to make sure a wire through distributor body or inside is not shorting out, same for points. Also weak or bad connections. Traditional wisdom was if points are firing and nothing out the cap it was a rotor. Baring aside wrong parts he is overlooking something.

 

[RTC63]

I purchased these parts over a year ago and have no info about them since I tend to use different suppliers. I had to go to a second supplier for wires because the kit wires didn't fit correctly. Tune ups are usually a pretty easy thing to do so I never saved the info expecting to have to go back. My best bet now is finding a supplier that can help me with parts for this distributor. I'm not surprised it's a replacement distributor considering its age. Is standard motor products a supplier of DR parts?

 

[RTC63]

I understand what you're saying Jocco and you're right. this sounds like a loose connection problem. I had a like minded friend go over everything just to make sure it's not something like a loose connection. I'm pretty convinced the cap is wrong somehow. The rotor and condenser were already replaced a second time.

 

[RTC63]

scootergmc thats fantastic! I can track down those parts individually I think that's my only chance at this point. I just removed the cap and cranked it until my points made contact (high point on lobe) I then marked the center if the rotor on the distributor body with a line. When I replace the cap that line falls almost dead center between 2 contacts on the distributor. I'm no genius but that ain't gonna work. I'm convinced it's the wrong cap.

 

[Jim.ME]

scootergmc thats fantastic! I can track down those parts individually I think that's my only chance at this point. I just removed the cap and cranked it until my points made contact (high point on lobe) I then marked the center if the rotor on the distributor body with a line. When I replace the cap that line falls almost dead center between 2 contacts on the distributor. I'm no genius but that ain't gonna work. I'm convinced it's the wrong cap.

Have you lined the timing marks up (checking that it is on TDC compression) and checked the static timing? The spark sequence starts as soon as the points break contact. In your first post here, you basically said it wasn't running right.

The points have broken contact when the wear block is on the high point of a lobe, that is where you set the gap.

Standard is Standard Motor Products, a major aftermarket supplier and maker of the Blue Streak products people talk about.

 

[RTC63]

Hi Jim, no its not running at all not even a sputterwith no spark coming out of the cap at all

 

[Jim.ME]

Hi Jim, no its not running at all not even a sputterwith no spark coming out of the cap at all

In your first post, you said it wasn't running right when you got it, and I understand it is not running now. I asked if you have checked the static timing.

Time to check the basics. Is the point gap set at .020" when the rubbing block is on the high point of a lobe? Then turn the engine in the correct rotation to get it to #1 TDC on the compression stroke, check that the flywheel TDC mark is lined up correctly. If you go by on the mark, back up at least a quarter turn before going in the correct rotation to line up the TDC mark. Then static time the distributor and see where the rotor is pointing.

Make sure the firing order is correct for the rotation from #1's location.

 

[RTC63]

Hey Jim thanks a lot! I took everything out and started over again paying particular attention to the timing. I can't really say I found anything wrong but after all that I have spark again. Unfortunately I ran out of time for today but I'm sure it will live again in a day or two. I can't say thanks enough to the people who helped. Just wish I knew exactly what caused it to happen.