No spark on a 54
scottyrodgers
Posts: 25Member
in HUDSON
Hi all new the 6-volt Indians reading the forums and have an issue I have a 1954 hornet and going by the manual I was getting no spark anywhere replace the battery terminals the solenoid was replaced before I got it I replace the ignition coil check the distributor cap and the firing order insured proper gap on all the plugs and on the distributor and I am getting spark going to the cap but not on any of the plugs needed to Hudson could use some help
Comments
http://www.wrphet.com/engine.html
or dirty points. Another frequent culprit, the small braided wire between the advance plate and the ? (senior moment) See if the insulation is abraided /worn.
Are you sure that all the components are correct for 6-volts and for Hudson, and are positive ground? Battery cable is thick 6-volt type, and battery is grounded to body and to engine? Sorry, but these are just basic questions one should ask before delving deeper into the problem.
If all of the above is checked out, one quick and easy thing is to change out the condenser (as Ric suggests) because there are an awful lot of those things that are bad when they are new! You should keep a few spares with you anyway, so you're not wasting your money to buy some extras.
Power to the coil and from the coil to the distributor ... make sure fully insulated no shorts or grounding. The wire from the distributor cap tower to the coil tower ... pull it out and check it is good ... ie wire connections are solidly attached and that there is continuity from end to end. Check coil by applying power to coil and grounding the opposite side... if the coil is good the ignition wire that normally goes to the distributor cap will spark to a good ground.
It's frustrating but you will get there. Be sure to install a new rotor also. I had a Studebaker die on the road and after a week of changing out ignition parts I put in a new rotor and it fired right up. I also had a rotor fail on my Hudson after driving it in a funeral procession. When I went to leave the cemetery the car would not start. Three of us worked on it for an hour, one guy had a spare rotor and once installed it fired right up. In both instances the cars were running perfectly before they died.
As far as wiring harnesses, take a look here. I have used them for my Hudson and my Packard, excellent workmanship and very easy to install.
http://www.ynzyesterdaysparts.com
Hope this helps,
John Forkner
p.s., I'll send you a copy of the current issue of the White Triangle News, the award winning publication of the Hudson Essex Terraplane Club, it's "The" resource for all things Hudson related. Send me your mailing address, HETForkner@aol.com (drop the HET)
What's the issue? What harness manufacturer did you use? Also, when you go to test the system, use a 6 volt lantern battery. It provides just enough juice to check lights and energize solenoids, but won't cause smoke or fire. You do know that your car is positive ground, right?
John Forkner