TripleRich Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 Earth strap location to cylinder head. A condenser is unlikely to fail in a way that will kill the spark. It can only do that by shorting out internally to its own housing and then via the distributor. With no earth strap many cars will use a cable or bracket and melt something in the process. Your car is mint and everything is painted so it wont be able to find another route to the body. The result is no spark whatsoever, hope that helps. Edit... This is a much later engine and might differ to yours. The V6 certainly has a threaded hole and yours might be the same. danthecapriman and Skizzer 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 30, 2020 Author Share Posted May 30, 2020 Nice one! Ill see what I can do tomorrow and report back. Ive got a new braided earth strap somewhere, bought for something else, but I might add that in somewhere if I can just as an additional one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 If there was no earth from the engine to the body then yes, there would be no spark - but the fact it's cranking OK suggests there is an OK earth. But as stated, could be melting your throttle or clutch cables! Your checks suggest that the primary coil winding is OK (also that the condenser has not failed short circuit at least). Worth repeating the test with the positive probe on the coil - terminal with the points closed; should be very close to 0 volts. Don't give up now mate, you're close! And you have successfully narrowed down the problem to only a handful of possibles. danthecapriman, Matty and TripleRich 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TripleRich Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 14 minutes ago, mat_the_cat said: but the fact it's cranking OK suggests there is an OK earth Very good point, I forgot it was cranking. Quite possibly a short between the points and dizzy. The strap is certainly an issue but may not be the cause of the problem danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosty Posted May 30, 2020 Share Posted May 30, 2020 Just had a catch up, that's looking wonderful. LightBulbFun and danthecapriman 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 30, 2020 Author Share Posted May 30, 2020 Thanks for all the help fellas! I must admit, it’s beginning to wear through now. It’s been such a long hard slog up to now, and I just feel it’s beating me. Ive got no self confidence at the best of times tbh and I just feel like everything I do is such a struggle because I’m no good at what I’m doing. I’d hoped to try getting it running today as a bit of a boost! Sadly I seem to have fallen short of the mark once again. Ill give it another go tomorrow and see what I can come up with though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Pm'd danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 I think* ive cracked it! Looks to be the points. Simple, yet not obvious! I tried adding an extra earth with a jump lead, clipped it onto the bare metal body of the dizzy and battery N terminal. Cranked it over and no change, still no spark. Tested a few more things, on cranking tested volts and they seem all good still, so even under load it’s still ok. Yet no spark. Now, looking at everything nothing appears to be wrong. But I had the ignition switched on, and pushed the points together, which resulted in shit loads of sparks and arcing between them. Yet looking at them they look closed, obviously they can’t be closing properly. After finding that, I used a pen to push the points together while I held the HT king lead against a clean earth. With someone else cranking the engine over there was a clear spark jumping between the king lead and earth. That’s got to be it I think. Obviously I can’t try starting it as I can’t hold the points together with it cranking or with the dizzy cap on. I’ve taken the points out, cleaned them with emery paper but they’re still not closing together reliably. I think they’ve just had their day tbh. Ive got a new set on order, should be here in a few days, though I’m tempted to fit the electronic ignition?? I’m 99% sure it’ll go with that fitted tbh, but on the other hand, I don’t know if that works either! It’s new but you never know. I might end up introducing a new problem. Skizzer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 New points are often shite. Cheap patterns that cause more issues than they solve, Yours were fine, when laid up. So, I’d prefer the originals. You’ll find ‘ adjustment’ in the screw- loosening it will allow you to adjust them to more open or closed. Make the gap a little wide if in doubt, rather than a little closed. danthecapriman, Skizzer, Coprolalia and 1 other 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirley Knott Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Can't offer any advice unfortunately as I've next to naff all knowledge of ignition systems of this era, but wanted to say the Capri is looking amazing. That engine bay man! danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooSavvy Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Not perhaps exactly the same as Carpi but all the same bits ...... Getting there..... danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 44 minutes ago, nigel bickle said: New points are often shite. Cheap patterns that cause more issues than they solve, Yours were fine, when laid up. So, I’d prefer the originals. You’ll find ‘ adjustment’ in the screw- loosening it will allow you to adjust them to more open or closed. Make the gap a little wide if in doubt, rather than a little closed. This set of points aren’t exactly quality items either! They were cheapo Intermotor items, I fitted them probably 10 or so years ago when having problems with the previous set after winter lay up. No idea why they worked 4 years ago when the car came apart but now they won’t? They’ve done nothing but sit there! Unless they’ve arced and got an uneven contact face or something? A little high spot or glazed over is all it takes on tiny contacts I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timewaster Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Despite not selling a set of Capri points for probably twenty years I still know you need intermotor 22740 for a motor craft distributor. If only I could remember what I did yesterday. Intermotor stuff was pretty good quality in the day but I think they may just be a name on a Chinese box these days. Low Horatio gearbox, Twiggy, Skizzer and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 4 minutes ago, Timewaster said: Despite not selling a set of Capri points for probably twenty years I still know you need intermotor 22740 for a motor craft distributor. If only I could remember what I did yesterday. Intermotor stuff was pretty good quality in the day but I think they may just be a name on a Chinese box these days. How the hell do you remember that! I can’t even remember my own phone number! Your right though. I think most makes are the same cheap Chinese/Indian shit in different packets these days. You just look at them and they look absolute cheap wank! When I was doing this on the Mercury, most of them were India or Mexico made. The Mex stuff was by far the best but still not guaranteed to be be perfect. Why in this day and age getting stuff like this to a high quality is difficult I do not know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mally Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 20 hours ago, nigel bickle said: it’s the points, mate. Run a bit of sandpaper between them a few times. That’ll sort it. No need to go to big expense. Like the man said yesterday. you said iyou were going to try it. Do it now! I want to hear it running. Clean the grit out after sanding, with a piece of cardboard or it still won't go. Low Horatio gearbox, danthecapriman and tooSavvy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooSavvy Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 D.T.C "..Why in this day and age getting stuff like this to a high quality is difficult I do not know! " Agreed.... Some 'pimply herbert', with a 3D printer, could probably produce 'Last a 100,000mile' cam- heels. Catching the eye of the 973 people who fit 'new points' annually [who ACTUALLY DO fB.... ] would give him some trouble likely ? danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 9 minutes ago, Mally said: Like the man said yesterday. you said iyou were going to try it. Do it now! I want to hear it running. Clean the grit out after sanding, with a piece of cardboard or it still won't go. I tried earlier. It still wasn’t having it. They close up, but don’t quite touch as they should. If you then push them together it sparks. One of the point contacts is slightly angled too, so only about a third or so of the contact will touch the other one. Famous last words here, but it WILL run by next weekend... might even try again tomorrow if I get chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Just need adjusting mate. Loosen the screw- they will snap together (springy steel) . Stick a bit of cardboard in the gap -to space them (its a Ford -the gap isn't critical) then tighten down. remove cardboard. Jobbed 2 mins danthecapriman, Christine and Skizzer 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mally Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 If they don't lie flat it shouldn't matter, but you could twist carefully with long nosed pliers. Edit, maybe not, if anything falls in there it's really bad! danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 Doing stuff like this is not good on your back at all. Mines fucked anyway, but two days of leaning over the front of this is not good! Bear with me chaps, ill get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Fucks sake Nigel !!! Go do it for him !!! I'm on the edge of me seat in suspense! danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 52 minutes ago, Christine said: Fucks sake Nigel !!! Go do it for him !!! I'm on the edge of me seat in suspense! Get comfortable, you’ll be there a while!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 Adjust it with the screwdriver slot ! Not the springy side ...the baseplate side! Even Haynes is your friend here ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted May 31, 2020 Author Share Posted May 31, 2020 18 minutes ago, Christine said: Adjust it with the screwdriver slot ! Not the springy side ...the baseplate side! Even Haynes is your friend here ? I put everything and the car away ages ago, other things to do this afternoon. I’ve had enough of it for now. Ill try to have a go again tomorrow if I can. It’ll probably go tbh. I’ve had the points out and polished the faces with emery and they don’t look so bad now. If it does fire, it’ll be loud! No exhaust yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat_the_cat Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 4 hours ago, danthecapriman said: No idea why they worked 4 years ago when the car came apart but now they won’t? They’ve done nothing but sit there! My old mower engine (1960s) used to have points, and every Spring I'd try and start it after only 4 months idle. Every time I'd need to replace the points to get a spark! I've now fitted electronic ignition, and it starts second pull even after the Winter (Pulling over a non-starting 350cc single cylinder engine is no fun...) danthecapriman, LightBulbFun and Christine 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 I’ve offered.... danthecapriman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timewaster Posted May 31, 2020 Share Posted May 31, 2020 3 hours ago, danthecapriman said: How the hell do you remember that! I can’t even remember my own phone number! Your right though. Started as a Saturday job when I was about 14. Probably sold 20 sets of points on a busy Saturday and there was only 6 types that fitted most cars. After 6 months I would get complete service kits together without looking at the books. Unless it was a Renault 5 or 340 Volvo. They were a choice of 6 and still never fitted. I can remember all sorts of crap like that. Can't remember if I locked the door or where in supposed to be tomorrow though. LightBulbFun, mitsisigma01, Low Horatio gearbox and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitsisigma01 Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 On 5/30/2020 at 11:06 PM, danthecapriman said: Ive got no self confidence at the best of times tbh and I just feel like everything I do is such a struggle because I’m no good at what I’m doing. From what I've seen Dan everything looks better than good and you still keep going, most people wouldn't even attempt what you are doing, don't be so hard on yourself ?️???????? BlankFrank, CreepingJesus, Twiggy and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crusty Sills Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Why don't you just fit the electronic ignition if you're going to anyway? Saves the struggle with points. I fitted a Powerspark electronic ignition to my Beetle years ago when it kept fading on me. I understand the frustration, many times I wielded a lump hammer at the Beetle then shut the garage and walked away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danthecapriman Posted June 1, 2020 Author Share Posted June 1, 2020 1 hour ago, mitsisigma01 said: From what I've seen Dan everything looks better than good and you still keep going, most people wouldn't even attempt what you are doing, don't be so hard on yourself ?️???????? Cheers mate. 21 minutes ago, Crusty Sills said: Why don't you just fit the electronic ignition if you're going to anyway? Saves the struggle with points. I fitted a Powerspark electronic ignition to my Beetle years ago when it kept fading on me. I understand the frustration, many times I wielded a lump hammer at the Beetle then shut the garage and walked away. I wanted it running on points for now, just to see if it runs and stick to the basics without introducing another variable. The electronic kit might be duff out the box for all I know. Saying that, the points are out now anyway so it’s probably irrelevant now! Ive not touched it yet anyway, if anyone was waiting for updates. Not sure if I’m going to either. Bad news at home and another boot to the bollocks has killed enthusiasm for now. Shite Ron and adw1977 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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