Hay i own a 55 ford fairlane with 272 engine. i cant seem to get it ti start iv had the timing looked at and starter look at all is good. its the original 6v system. it sounds like it turning a little slow but i dont kno. i did check the silinoid and its only getting 5.3v of power i dont kno if thats it or not. i do put it in neutral. if anyone has an idea please help. if someone thinks they might be able to help me i live near ft. bragg, Nc. i would like to drive this car before i deploy to afganistan in may

Have you tried jumping the solenoid to diagnose starter and electrical problems? Do the instruments come on when the key is in the ON position???



Turn the key to the ON position, then take a screwdriver or a jumper wire (Make sure you're not holding the metal or you'll zap the crap outta yourself) and cross the solenoid posts that go to the battery side and the starter side. This will give direct power to the starter and will engage the starter.... It should start the car if the power to the ignition is on and all the wiring is right, assuming your battery and starter are good of course. If it starts disconnect the jumper wire/screwdriver.



If you get it turning over and no ignition, it's probably a timing, or your spark

If you get nothing, it's your battery or starter



Hope this helps a little bit.



And anyone correct if I'm wrong.

William



1957 Ford Fairlane 500

292 Bored .30 over

Fordomatic

If you run a small wire from the positive post to the plus side of the coil and do the jumper outlined above the car should start. If it dosen't you have other problems. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Other things to consider. Have you cleaned the battery clamps & posts well? Are you getting fuel to the carb when cranking? Are all the connections to the starter & solenoid clean. Have the battery cables been replaced recently? 12 V. (lighter) cables are often substituted for original heavier 6 V cables. They will not carry the heavier amperage well..

Paul

'55s are 6v POSITIVE ground. I think Chuck meant to suggest connecting a small wire from the NEGATIVE post to minus side of the coil. I you do it a Chuck said you will be grounding your ignition out.

Oops again! Didn't read close enough. He is correct. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Your a good guy Chuck, Just trying to keep you honest...



BigFoot, You stated it is turning over, altho slowly. have you checked for spark?

so my friend and i went thru the car today and still nothing. we r trying to adjust the timing with the distrubitor but we still are not getting the ignition. i t sounds like it tries a couple times to but then nothing

Hit it with some either while you crank, if it tries to start you have a fuel, not ignition issue.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

You might put an amp reader over the cable going to the starter while cranking the engine over.  If you’re drawing excessive amps while starting, then there’s likely not enough current left for the distributor to provide an adequate spark.  I had a ’54 Victoria that this was the problem.  The starter from all outward appearances seemed fine as it turned the engine over okay but the engine just wouldn't fire off.  Push started just fine but wouldn’t start with the starter until I took the starter apart and rebuilt it.  After that all was okay.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)