Thread: 460 in 1948 Ford F1 - No Spark

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Hi, I recently purchased a 48 Ford F1, with a 460ci engine in it. I got zero info as to the year of the engine, other than it ran 6 yrs. ago. The former owner removed the coil at some point(probably because he got no spark). So I put a new coil in, hooked up a new battery, and got it to turn over, but no spark. I checked the positive terminal wire and got 12volts on the meter with the negative meter wire grounded to the engine block. But I still get no spark when I crank the engine over. I'm not sure where to go from here. I tried to get a volt reading across the coil from the positive terminal to the negative terminal, with no luck, even though the key was on, and even when cranking the engine over. The engine intake manifold numbers, appear to be from a 1970 Galaxie. It has a standard ignition. I'm not sure about any point or condensor connections, as I can't find a schematic to confirm the current config. Anyone with any ideas? Thanks, Stevo.

DennyW
I'll take your advice and get a new distributor wire from ford. I did try your advice with no spark from points or coil wire. Steve

Replace the points as a starting point. Sounds like carbonization from age or grease build up on the contact surface. Thus not allowing voltage to break and building feild build up at the coil.

This forum has been amajor help with my project.

Thanks Don and Denny for the advice. Just got the 460 to growl again after 6 years of silence. Bad black wire from points to coil. With that solved, I'll be working on the brakes next. It came with a disk brake conversion kit from Classic performance products, that is still new in the box and complete with instructions. I'm a little hessitant, because I think it will involve some fabrication of brake lines which may be beyond me at present, but we'll see when we get there. Thanks again, I hate electrical work, chasis/body work and engine work is where my skills lie. Steve

Hey, after tracking down that wiring problem, how tough can a little brake work be !!

Glad you got it running. Those 460's are tough to kill.

Don

brake pipes are no hassle,just get a pipe flaring kit and a roll of pipe and fittings,it's real simple,dont get stressed over brake lines,easiest ever!
Russ.

I took off the rear brake lines today, and started to try and redo the back drum brakes, but I can't budge the old drum off even with hammering. Am I missing something. Are these things pressed on, or do you have to remove some hidden bolt or hub to the axel? Every rear drum brake job I have ever done you just pull the hub off. Suggestions for getting it off intact appreciated. The pads do not appear to be sticking as I can freely rotate it and the parking brake is off. Steve

Is there an inner ridge holding the drum on from being worn out? If so, back of the shoes and it will come off.

got it off with heat and hammer thanks.