Weak spark help.

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ThinLizzy13
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Joined: October 5, 2012, 5:29 am
Location: Catskills NY
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Weak spark help.

Post by ThinLizzy13 »

I just replaced the sparkplugs, points, rotor, cap, coil, and plug wires on my '63 223. Stock load-o-matic setup. For some reason I decided to check my spark plug connections with the engine running to ensure I got them good. I found that plug 3 and 5 have weak spark and pulling them did not affect my idle at all- either one out or both out together!

I then checked the spark plugs. 1,2,4,6 all had perfect coloring. 3 was black and 5 was covered in gas. 1,2,4,6 had great spark color, while 3 and 5 had a very dull red/orange. This leads me to believe the condenser is good (due to the other 4 being good) All other parts are new (tangent: Standard Motor Parts parts ordered from Rock Auto. Made in USA).

I then checked my old spark plugs. Because I'm obsessed with all things maintenance I had them boxed and labeled by what cylinder they were in lol. Sure enough 3 and 5 did not look that great. Which means I've been driving it like this for the last 1100 miles and never noticed :shock: My green horn is showing...

The only thing I can think of is that the dizzy shaft has some play? I can wiggle the rotor a little bit. Cyl 3 and 5 are next to each other on the dizzy cap, perhaps they're arcing somehow and not giving good spark to the plugs? I'm kind of at a loss here. :help:

Also my dwell is 35, spark plug gap .035, and I set my timing with a vac gauge. Dunno if it helps at all, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
'63 F100 223 3OT
‘20 F150 XL
slick4x4
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Re: Weak spark help.

Post by slick4x4 »

Check compression....
Spark might not be your problem :(
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[b]'' I think what scares me the most about you guys is that I understand you '' ..... KID
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ThinLizzy13
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Joined: October 5, 2012, 5:29 am
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Re: Weak spark help.

Post by ThinLizzy13 »

slick4x4 wrote:Check compression....
Spark might not be your problem :(
I really hope that's not bad. Engine has 6k on a rebuild :(
'63 F100 223 3OT
‘20 F150 XL
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ThinLizzy13
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Re: Weak spark help.

Post by ThinLizzy13 »

Well this is embarrassing, but my 3 and 5 wires were mixed up :lol: I always seem to find the glaringly obvious solution AFTER I make a post on here :roll:
'63 F100 223 3OT
‘20 F150 XL
slick4x4
Posts: 5721
Joined: April 19, 2008, 10:01 pm
Location: kipp kansas
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Re: Weak spark help.

Post by slick4x4 »

I was going to suggest that....
But I thought....... Naw :shock:

Hopefully no damage was done :?
.
.
.
[b]'' I think what scares me the most about you guys is that I understand you '' ..... KID
'' lookin good, a little paint adds at least 100hp!'' ....... COOTER
'' well an old guy can dream cant he? ''............ICEMAN
''I would donate organs before selling my slick''........ HOOFBEAT RACER
orangeRcode
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Re: Weak spark help.

Post by orangeRcode »

ThinLizzy13 wrote:Well this is embarrassing, but my 3 and 5 wires were mixed up :lol: I always seem to find the glaringly obvious solution AFTER I make a post on here :roll:
Well the good news is you figured it out. :cheers:
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ThinLizzy13
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Location: Catskills NY
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Re: Weak spark help.

Post by ThinLizzy13 »

That's true!
'63 F100 223 3OT
‘20 F150 XL
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