Ford 1955 - Page 8

Chapter
I
General
Engine
Repair
ignition
system.
The
next
most
likely
cause
is a malfunc
tion
of
the
fuel
system. A
simple check will
determine
which
system
is
at
fault.
Remove
one wire
from
a
spark
plug,
and
insert
a
piece
of
proper
sized
metal
rod so it
will
protrude
from
the
insulator.
With the
ignition on
and
the
starter
turning
the
engine
over,
hold
the end of
the
rod
approximately
%G-inch from
the
block.
If
no
spark
is
obtained,
check
the
ignition
system.
If
a good
spark
is
obtained,
check
the fuel
system.
(a)
No
Spark.
If
no spark
was
obtained,
follow
the
steps
below
to
determine
the
cause
and
make
necessary
repairs
or
replacements.
(
1
)
Pull
the coil
wire
from
the
top
of
the
distributor,
and
with
the
ignition
on
and
the
engine
turning
over,
see
if
there
is
a spark at
this point.
If
there
is a good
spark,
the
trouble
lies
in the
distributor
cap, rotor,
or
spark
plug
wires.
See
that
they
are
clean,
dry,
and not
defective.
Repair
or
replace
as
necessary.
(2)
If
there
was
no spark
in
(1)
clean the coil tower
socket
or
replace
the
high tension
wire
between
the
coil
and
distributor
and check
again.
If a weak spark
exists,
the
points
are
probably
arcing. Test the
condenser,
replace if
necessary
and adjust
the
points. If
a
weak
spark
persists,
test
the coil
and replace
if
necessary.
(3)
If
there was
no spark
in
(2),
remove
the
distribu
tor
cap
and
see
if
the
points are
"breaking"
and
there is
an
electrical
charge
to
the
points.
Adjust or replace
as
necessary. If
there is
spark
at the
points,
and
they
break
properly,
the
secondary
circuit
of
the
coil
is defective. If
there is
no
spark
at
the
points;
install
a
"jumper"
between
the
distributor
post
of
the coil and the
distributor,
then
check
for
spark
at the
points.
If there is
a
spark,
replace
the
coil
to
distributor
primary
wire.
If
there is no
spark,
install
a
"jumper"
between
the two
primary
coil terminals
and
recheck.
Replace
the coil
if
a
spark now
exists
at
the
points.
If
not,
install
a
"jumper"
between
the
battery
and
the
battery
post
of the
coil,
then
check
the
spark
at
the
points. If a
spark
exists,
the ignition switch or
wiring
from
the
switch
to
the
coil
is
defective
and
must be
re
paired
or
replaced.
(b)
Weak
Spark.
If
the
spark test at the spark
plug
showed
a
weak
spark,
perform
the
following
checks in
the
order
listed:
(
1
)
Battery
may
be weak.
Test,
recharge,
or
replace,
the
battery.
(2)
Remove
the
distributor
cap,
and
check the
condi
tion
of
the
points.
Adjust,
clean,
or
replace
them
as
necessary.
Severly
pitted
points
are
usually
an
indication
that
the
voltage
regulator is
improperly
set
or
the
con
denser is
faulty.
(3)
Check
the
condition
of
the
rotor,
distributor
cap,
and
plug
wires. The
wires
must
be
clean,
dry,
and
must
be
fully
seated
in
the
terminals.
Always
replace
any
wire
which is
damaged
or
has
corroded
terminals.
(4)
If
the weak
spark
persists,
the
coil
should be
tested
and
replaced
if
necessary.
(c)
Good
Spark.
If
a
good
spark
was
observed,
check
the fuel
system
as follows:
(1)
Check
the fuel
supply
at
the
fuel
tank. Do not
attempt
any
other
fuel
system
checks
before
doing
this.
(2)
If
there
is fuel in the
tank,
check to
see if it is
reaching
the
carburetor. Remove
the
air
cleaner,
and
look
down
the
carburetor throat
while
working
the throttle
by
hand.'
Each
time
the
throttle
is
worked,
a
spurt of
gasoline
should
be
emitted from
the
accelerator
pump
discharge nozzle.
If
there is
fuel
at
this
point,
the engine
is
probably
flooded
or there is
water in the
fuel system.
(3)
If
no
accelerator
pump
discharge
is
observed
in
the
carburetor
throat,
loosen
the
fuel
pump
to
fuel tank
line
at
the
fuel
pump.
Remove
the
fuel
tank filler cap.
If
fuel
runs out
freely,
the
line
is
clean.
If
not,
blow the
line
out
by
air
pressure
from
the
fuel
pump
end.
NOTE:
Check
the flexible
gas line
for a
collapsed
condition.
(4)
If
the fault
has not been
found,
check the fuel
pump
pressure,
then repair or
replace
the fuel
pump
or
carburetor.
(3)
ENGINE STARTS BUT FAILS TO
KEEP
RUNNING. The
most
probable
cause
of
this
malfunction
is
the fuel
system.
The ignition system
sometimes can
cause
trouble,
but
it is
usually
after
the engine has run
for some time and
is at
operating
temperature.
In
either
case,
check
the
fuel
system
first.
(a)
Check the fuel
supply
at the
gas tank.
(b)
Try
to
start the
vehicle.
If
it
will operate with
constant foot
throttle,
adjust the
idle speed
and
check
the
choke
adjustment.
(c)
If
it will not
operate
with
constant foot
throttle,
remove
the air
cleaner,
and check
to
see if fuel
is
getting
to
the
carburetor.
This is
done
by
looking
down the
car
buretor
while
operating
the
throttle. If
gasoline
is
observed
spurting
from
the accelerator
pump
discharge
nozzle,
the
engine
was
either
flooded
or
the
fuel
system
has
water in
it.
(d)
If
no
accelerator
pump
discharge is
observed
in
the
carburetor
throat,
loosen
the fuel
pump
to fuel tank
line
at
the
fuel
pump.
Remove the
fuel
tank
filler
cap.
If
fuel
runs out
freely,
the
line
is
clear.
If
not,
blow the
line out with air
pressure
from the
fuel
pump
end.
NOTE: Check
the
flexible gas
line for a
collapsed
condition.
(e)
If
the
cause of
the
trouble
has
not been
found,
check the fuel
pump
pressure,
and
repair
or
replace the
fuel
pump
or
carburetor.
(f)
If
the
fuel
system
is
operating
correctly
and
the
engine still
stalls,
it
may
be
due to
the
coil
or
condenser
breaking
down
under
operating
temperature.
Check
and
replace
as necessary.