How can it still run?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: How can it still run?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael grady on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 08:40 am:

I just noticed I have my spark plug wires completely backwards!

4 is on 1, 1 is on 4, and 2 and 3 are reversed!

Yet, is still runs and starts like a charm. I'm actually a little nervous to switch them out and make them in the correct order.

What a bonehead.

Michael


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 08:53 am:

Before you put them in the "correct" order I'd trace the wires to the commutator and see if things have been "adjusted" there.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carl Sorenson-Lake Arrowhead,CA on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 08:53 am:

Maybe your timer is off too,,,,or the wires to the coil ...???? Like you, I don't think it would run that good with wires on the wrong plus...Like Red Skelton used ta say.."Sumpin just ain't Right".........Carl


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 08:55 am:

Make a diagram of what's there before you make any changes. I suspect your wiring on the timer is not "normal" either. Incorrect Timer wiring would acount for the engines running so well with what appeard to be incorrect spark plug wiring. In other words it's wired correctly but not according to the books.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael grady on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 09:08 am:

nope...I put them on wrong. The wires to the cummutaor are correct - they were in reverse order at the coils. I'll bet no one has ever done that before. :-)

Still runs great now that they're sorted out.

Still feeling like a bonehead.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 09:20 am:

HMMMMM...If #1 is TDC on compression #4 is TDC on exhaust. How is it possible this worked with reversed plug wiring?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mark Strange on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 09:27 am:

If he was running a "wasted spark" system like the Truefire, it would be firing plugs 1 and 4 together, then 2 and 3 together, so it would still run properly.

With the stock system, I'm mystified.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 09:37 am:

I think what Michael is saying is that while the commutator ends of the wires were correct as to color/sequence on the commutator, the coil end of the commutator wires were reversed and the coil to plug wires were also reversed. This "double negative" produced a positive. The car ran fine because even though it was not using the coils in the intended order the plugs were firing when they should.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael grady on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 09:50 am:

yep...I found a cell phone photo (sorry for the quality)of the way I had it - incorrectly.

I think you can see the configuration of the plug and coil wires. It was correct at the commutator.wires


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charlie B actually in Toms River N.J. on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 09:53 am:

Had to be that Henry. Couldn't have worked any other way. Double negative. I know nothing about True-fire but Mark has a point too. I believe some moderns use that wasted spark system also.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Larry Smith on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 10:39 am:

The coils wires can be anywhere, as long as you keep track of what you are doing, and maintain the correct firing order.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By michael grady on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 12:06 pm:

Larry...

This was a case of my being lucky, not good.

It ran just because I was lucky.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 12:23 pm:

Michael,

I have a good friend(?) who frequently tells me that I'm living proof luck is better than brains! :-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 11:21 pm:

Years ago, one of my first Ts. I was trying to get it put together in time for an upcoming tour. It had not run in decades. I had bought a new spark plug wire set and was putting it on when I discovered that the number one wire was just too short. With the ends bent, and the wire pulled straight, it just would not reach from the end unit on the coil box where number one belongs. It just barely would reach number two post (straight back and just barely shorter). Of course I was as always working last minute and in a rush. So I ran number one cylinder from number two coil. Moved the timer wires around to match and it worked fine. Made the tour.
I sold the car years ago. Wonder if it is still that way?
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Garrison_Rice Minnesota on Wednesday, November 06, 2013 - 11:28 pm:

Ah ha, so now I've got a name to put on this screwed up wiring mess I've got out here in the shop. From now on it will be known as "The Great Wayne Sheldon Method of Model T Wiring". And here I thought it was just me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred Dimock, Newfields NH, USA on Thursday, November 07, 2013 - 12:08 pm:

Does it really make any difference which coil fires which cylinder as long as the timer gets it right?

I wouldn't be surprised if this was done many times in the past. :-)

Just another way to confuse the masses and Steve!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Thursday, November 07, 2013 - 12:28 pm:

It doesn't matter which coil is used for which plug as long as the sequence from the commutator to the plug is correct. All wiring it per the diagram does is make things easier, particularly when something goes wrong.

I bet your right, Fred. I wonder how many guys have their T wired in some oddball sequence and don't even know it, like Michael when he started this thread.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kerry van Ekeren (Australia) on Thursday, November 07, 2013 - 02:59 pm:

It's simple, the timer is 180 degrees out, the cam has the pin hole that go's right through, if you reverse all the wiring it wont run, you will need to rotate the timer as well.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Thursday, November 07, 2013 - 04:59 pm:

A Model T doesn't care which coil operates which spark plug as long as they are timed in the right order. The wiring shown in the book makes it much easier to trace. If all Model T's are wired the same way, anyone can wire according to the book without having to figure out how the spark gets to the plug at the right time!

Have fun straightening it out!
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Friday, November 08, 2013 - 12:32 am:

Thank you, Mike G, thank you. And you are quite welcome. I do have a reputation to maintain, you know. Things like driving on rotten wood wheels. Gluing cracked blocks. About a week ago I told of running a tire for a couple years with a sidewall stitched and a vulcanized boot. One does need to learn the lines that should not be crossed. Maybe some day I can figure those out.
Seriously, Mike, I always enjoy your postings!
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick on Friday, November 08, 2013 - 08:45 am:


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