Author Topic: 1963 Ford Fairlane  (Read 148447 times)

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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #275 on: July 27, 2013, 11:54:28 PM »
It has the stock 2-bbl Autolite.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #276 on: July 28, 2013, 02:09:42 PM »
This points-and-condenser thing is a huge pain in the ass. :mad:
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Offline biersmythe

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #277 on: July 28, 2013, 02:23:36 PM »
This points-and-condenser thing is a huge pain in the ass. :mad:

um yep that why I convert to electronic when I can...also more reliable with electronic ignition.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #278 on: July 28, 2013, 07:17:27 PM »
I was able to shim the point until I got the gap set to .015-inch.  I removed the plastic spacer that came with the kit I ordered and used some washers from the hardware store.

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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #279 on: July 28, 2013, 07:23:25 PM »
I was able to shim the point until I got the gap set to .015-inch.  I removed the plastic spacer that came with the kit I ordered and used some washers from the hardware store.



Always check any point sets before you buy to make sure the points are actually aligned properly.  If they don't touch each other dead nuts on, or one sits higher than the other, tell them to bring you another set.

Offline biersmythe

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #280 on: July 28, 2013, 07:51:33 PM »
Always check any point sets before you buy to make sure the points are actually aligned properly.  If they don't touch each other dead nuts on, or one sits higher than the other, tell them to bring you another set.

 :lol: yep those are nuggets of wisdom there. By the way Chris do you have a dwell meter? They come in handy for making sure your getting the most "fire" out of the coil.....not something you have to have but it helps.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #281 on: July 28, 2013, 08:19:26 PM »
:lol: yep those are nuggets of wisdom there. By the way Chris do you have a dwell meter? They come in handy for making sure your getting the most "fire" out of the coil.....not something you have to have but it helps.
Yes, I picked up a dwell meter last year. 
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Offline Eupher

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #282 on: July 28, 2013, 10:04:59 PM »
Damn, I think the last time I gapped points on a car and adjusted timing (remember 2 deg. BTDC?) must've been in the mid-70's in my '73 Nova.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #283 on: July 28, 2013, 10:09:06 PM »
I left the timing alone.  I replaced the cap and rotor and went for a drive.  It ran like it always has.  I got home, pulled the cap, replaced the condenser and the points and now it turns over but won't start at all.

I wish I could find some decent instructions.  I don't get it. :argh:
« Last Edit: July 28, 2013, 10:12:05 PM by Chris_ »
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Offline freedumb2003b

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #284 on: July 28, 2013, 10:12:50 PM »
I left the timing alone.  I replaced the cap and rotor and went for a drive.  It ran fine.  I got home, pulled the cap off, removed the condenser and the points and now it turns over but won't start at all.

I wish I could find some decent instructions.  I don't get it. :argh:

Maybe you should replace the condenser and the points.

After that, you probably need to re-gap the points.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #285 on: July 28, 2013, 10:13:26 PM »
Maybe you should replace the condenser and the points.

After that, you probably need to re-gap the points.
I just did.  It won't start.

Sorry, I edited my post again.
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Offline freedumb2003b

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #286 on: July 28, 2013, 10:19:43 PM »
I just did.  It won't start.

Sorry, I edited my post again.

If it is single points, double check your distributor shaft isn't warped.

Or better still, get an electronics points replacement -- easy to install and obviates physical points and the gapping thereof.
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Offline CG6468

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #287 on: July 28, 2013, 10:26:01 PM »
I left the timing alone.  I replaced the cap and rotor and went for a drive.  It ran like it always has.  I got home, pulled the cap, replaced the condenser and the points and now it turns over but won't start at all.

I wish I could find some decent instructions.  I don't get it. :argh:

Have you checked whether you're getting a spark for the plug wires?
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #288 on: July 28, 2013, 10:27:57 PM »
Have you checked whether you're getting a spark for the plug wires?
Not yet.  I guess I will start on that tomorrow.  I spent most of my day trying to get the points gapped correctly. 

The supplement manual I bought doesn't have instructions for the distributor.
« Last Edit: July 28, 2013, 10:31:28 PM by Chris_ »
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #289 on: July 28, 2013, 10:29:51 PM »
If it is single points, double check your distributor shaft isn't warped.

Or better still, get an electronics points replacement -- easy to install and obviates physical points and the gapping thereof.

A Petronix Ignitor is looking pretty attractive right now.
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Offline CG6468

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #290 on: July 28, 2013, 10:33:14 PM »
Not yet.  I guess I will start on that tomorrow.  I spent most of my day trying to get the points gapped correctly.  

It shouldn't be that difficult. The distributor's in the front  of the engine, right. Not as bad as GM's being in the rear of the engine and almost up against the firewall.

I do agree that electronics is the way to go.
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Offline zeitgeist

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #291 on: July 29, 2013, 08:07:17 PM »
Have you also got a remote starter set up to go with the timing light and dwell meter?  Nice to have when setting points and timing.  I am with Eupher, it has been forty years since I changed points in a vehicle (1973) and it was probably on a "B".  I converted the 'Cuda to electronic as soon as I got it.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #292 on: July 29, 2013, 08:48:00 PM »
I left the timing alone.  I replaced the cap and rotor and went for a drive.  It ran like it always has.  I got home, pulled the cap, replaced the condenser and the points and now it turns over but won't start at all.

I wish I could find some decent instructions.  I don't get it. :argh:

If everything worked before you changed the points/condensor, then I would bet my dollar on your problem lying therein. 

First check for 12 volts running to the low-tension side of your distributor.  This will be the wire that you connected up to your points.

Then, make sure you have no bare wires touching the body of the distributor, and that your 12V+ side of your points are not grounding out via the points plate.

Take off the distributor cap, and crank the engine, or have someone crank the engine.  Do you see the points snapping with electricity? 

If you can't see the points while you are cranking from inside the car, you can always leave the key in the 'ON' position, loosen the distributor clamping bolt, and rock the distributor back and forth on a lobe, to actuate the points.  The result will be the same if they are working: a snap of electricity.

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #293 on: August 01, 2013, 09:07:13 PM »
I picked up a cheap remote start trigger and I'm a little lost.  Let's say I want to pull the #1 spark plug to check for a spark... do I bridge the two starter terminals and leave the ignition switch on?

The instructions this thing came with don't help.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #294 on: August 01, 2013, 11:31:40 PM »
I picked up a cheap remote start trigger and I'm a little lost.  Let's say I want to pull the #1 spark plug to check for a spark... do I bridge the two starter terminals and leave the ignition switch on?

The instructions this thing came with don't help.

If you are using a remote starter, turn your key to the "ON" position.  The remote starter is just doing the job of energizing the starter.   

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #295 on: August 02, 2013, 09:33:12 AM »
If you are using a remote starter, turn your key to the "ON" position.  The remote starter is just doing the job of energizing the starter.   
I got that part.  If I use the remote switch to crank the starter, the rest of the ignition system should fire, right?

The instructions for this thing look like an Ikea manual.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #296 on: August 02, 2013, 04:25:03 PM »
If I use the remote switch to crank the starter, the rest of the ignition system should fire, right?

If the key is in the 'ON' position, then yes.

Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #297 on: August 02, 2013, 04:39:49 PM »
Okay, that's what I figured.  I have a feeling I'm going to be buying a new ignition coil anyway, but we will see.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #298 on: August 03, 2013, 09:05:22 PM »
Too busy to mess with the car today, but I did take the cap off and verify the points gap was being opened by the distributor cam.  So there's that.

I need to jack the car up to get to the starter.  I'll work on that tomorrow.  I should know more after that.
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Offline BattleHymn

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Re: 1963 Ford Fairlane
« Reply #299 on: August 03, 2013, 10:08:07 PM »
Don't forget to make sure you have 12 volts running to your coil, by running a meter across the two terminals on the coil with the key in the 'ON' position.