I was trying to start my newly rebuilt 292, but after a bit of troubleshooting I realized I was not getting a spark. So I pulled the coil lead off of the dizzy to see if I had spark from the coil. I did not. Oh and yes I checked I have power going to it. Is there a good way to test the lead from the coil to see if it's bad short of buying a new one. So is it a fair
Guess to assume the coil is bad or might it be the condenser that bolts next to the coil? Or might it be something else. Also are the condensers the same for the one inside the dizzy as well or am misnaming the one next to the coil? Sorry for all the questions but that's how I learn.

Disconnect The condensor next to the coil, check  spark.If no spark  Check your point gap.If point gap is wrong fix it(.018" will do) and repeat spark test If you have spark proceed.If not run a jumper from the + side of the battery to the +side of the coil and repeat spark test.If it sparks you were not getting adequate voltage  to the coil .If it doesnt spark borrow a coil (or plug) wire from another car and repeat spark test.If it sparks buy a new lead.If it doesnt the coil is almost surely bad.All the foregoing can be done in under 10 minutes.HTH

Ok I checked all that. I adjusted the points and now it sparks when you first crank it and again when you let off the starter button. I did not spark inbetween. Is is suppose to? I am still not getting any spark at the spark plug. Is the coil lead suppose to throw a continual spark?

You have your ignition wired wrong. Ford has 2 wires one to the ballast which should be hot when ignition is on and another that goes straight to the coil which is hot on crank. Your hot on cranking lead is not on or is faulty. This leaves you with no spark while cranking but a spark when you are not ie when you let off on the key when cranking and the engine turns that little bit extra. Good luck. MIKE

Mike, still lovin his 57 t'bird after 53 years!

Ok I am a little confused. I have one red wire that I makes when I took it apart that
Goes to pos terminal on coil. Than there is the black wire from the dizzy
That I have hooked to the
Neg terminal. Than the condenser next to the coil
That I have hooked to the pos terminal. Am I missing
Something. There is a good size wire from the neg terminal on the battery cable that has a spade plug but I don't remember if that is suppose to be hooked up. Are there wires elsewhere that you are talking about?

The condenser on the coil has nothing to do with the ignition.It is a static suppressor intended to prevent static in the radio.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

If you run a jumper from battery positive to the + terminal on the coil I bet you will have full time spark and the engine will run.If so famdoc has it right.The stock wiring harness has two wires to the + terminal on the coil, a wire that sends a full 12 volts to the coil on startup and another wire to the ballast resistor that cuts the voltage back when the engine starts and the key is in run position.If you dont want this go to NAPA and buy a coil that does not use an external resistor and run it on straight 12 volts.

I just went out and looked. I only have one wire from the ignition that I can tell at least. Where is this ballast you keep mentioning? Any chance I could get some pictures of the wiring and ballast to help me locate it. I also tried going From batt to the + terminal with a jumper wire and I still got no spark This is very wierd.

I just went out and looked. I only have one wire from the ignition that I can tell at least. Where is this ballast you keep mentioning? Any chance I could get some pictures of the wiring and ballast to help me locate it. I also tried going From batt to the + terminal with a jumper wire and I still got no spark This is very wierd.

Ray, the ballast resistor should look something like this.

Instead of waiting for someone here to post a picture, why don't you post a picture of what you have and how its wired.  Perhaps then someone can then help you.  You may have to go back to basics.  Do you know if your ignition switch is working or wired properly.  Also remind us what vehicle you are working on.


Mark

1956 Mercury M100
1955 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan
Delta, British Columbia