The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Spark enhancement

We have a 216 6 volt system on a 49 model 3100. The spark seems weak though the coil, plugs, wires, and distributor are all new. I understand these systems never really produced much of a spark. Does anyone know of a product to increase the spark output without going to an HEI, I want it to look original. Something relatively small that can be located on the firewall or something to that affect. Thanks for the help.


God bless,



Dave

Search "Pertronix"

They do make a 6 volt kit;

http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ig/ignitor/default.aspx

Larry

Does that work with the stock coil? I want to keep my electrolock coil.

Pertronix 1167 for 6v 216 engine's distributor

I don't want to seem dense Tim but will that work with my stock '38 coil? It's only shown as going back to '41.

Dave, have you done a search on this site to solve the problem? You should be able to get a good strong blue spark at the plug gap if everything is in order. I had the same trouble. It turned out to be poor connections. I cleaned the terminals of the coil to distributor wires and got a much better spark.
Do the search. Others can help you trouble shoot this much better than I can.
Jacques

I don't know if you forgot to mention it or if you didn't replace it but what about the rotor button? The points might be off just a little bit too. Just some simple suggestions.

Tiny,

I do not know about using it on a 1938 216. Try calling their technical support (although, I have gotten different answers to the same question when calling their Technical Support and getting two different people).

Their new catalog says 1167 for 41-53 216

Thank you for your immediate and insightful support, it has given me some ideas. Yes the rotor button is also new, the only thing not new or rebuilt is the distributor it self, otherwise "all" it's components are new. I just can't get this engine to run well, and perhaps a part of it "may be" a poor spark. The engine was completely rebuilt and a rebuilt Carter W1 carb installed and it still runs poorly or not at all. I have considered pulling the distributor and rebuilding or replacing it. Some one mentioned that a 6 volt systems does not make for a real strong spark so perhaps a little help like the "Pertronix" may help. Any further thoughts please let me know. Again, thanks.

God bless,

Dave

Those cars ran untold millions of miles, reliably, before Pertronix was even thought of. I've seen 25,000 volts from the coil secondary a 6 volt system. The ignition system didn't suddenly get weak from old age. Start at the ignition switch, and check the voltage drop through every connection. You've got a problem somewhere that you haven't found yet. The Pertronix would just be a band-aid on a brain tumor. Find your voltage drop!
Jerry

I agree with Jerry. Trouble shoot, don't just change parts. That's easier for me to say than do. I lost my shop manuel and the old time mechanics that used to guide me and advise me through problems like this a long time ago are all gone. I come here for help now.
I put in a rebuilt distributor in my truck because I could wiggle the shaft side to side and I knew the bearings/bushings were worn out which would cause the point gap to be off. That helped with the problem somewhat.
Jacques