Got the engine in and it ran well for a bit. I now have an electrical gremlin running around my T. Yesterday plug #3 wasn't firing, now it is fine and #1 isn't firing. Time to start tracing wires....I just need to find where the little bugger is hiding.
I also noticed that #3 plug is a lot leaner than the rest, so I will pull the intake and reseal that as well, just to be sure...
Do you have the top of the coil box mounted? Without it, the coils can pop up and disconnect. It doesn't take much.
Almost sounds like you might have a carbon tracking problem. I had that once and after installing John Reagan's Modern coil box wood replacement Iv never had a problem since. My 23 TT would not start if it was damp out but after the switch over she drives very well even in pouring rain. Well worth the investment and the 30 minuets it took to install.
I have a pretty new wiring harness between the coil box and the timer that comes and goes on number one. It's new, but defective. The generator wire does the same thing.
I'd start with the timer. Clean & check it and have a look at the wires at that time. Swap the coils around too. (what's their condition by the way?)It might be a carbon track in the box but I don't see that switching from one cyl. to the other. You can check for an intake leak by squirting oil on the mating surfaces while it's running. If you notice a change you've got a leak. Keep it simple early on Diagnose before pulling parts off you're just yankin' your crank if you don't. Does it happen on batt. or mag. or both?
I think I've got it. I ended up changing the timer to a new one, and re-setting the timing again. Note to self: Keep your free hand off the head while rotating the timer to get it to buzz...my hand was touching the number 1 spark plug wire - I am awake now!
Coils are new from Brent Mize - (less than 500 miles on them).I have 4 spares too and swapped them just to be sure.
I also re-soldered the ends of the spark plug wires, as well as installed a fresh set of plugs, and tightened all the connections.
Took then intake off and re-sealed it.
Runs good now. Now to figure out the knock and I'll be all set. (I started a different thread on it).
Make sure you have good ground. Sometimes we insulate with paint. You can check this quickly with battery cables.
Rich
That spark will make you take notice. A few years ago my son was helping me with an old NewWay hit and miss flywheel engine, He was holding the intake valve open for me while I slowly spun the flywheels checking for the contact point. I didn't notice his arm resting on the spark plug. It most definitely left a lasting impression on him when the engine came to TDC and the buzz coil fired!