D2 Pony Problem

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artreed

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I have a 1955 D2 5U. After getting it home this past Summer I rehabbed pony fuel system and carb. New plugs and wires and cleaned the points. started up great. That was in August.
I have tried to start it several times over that past several days. No dice. I just don't seem to have any spark. I do have fuel to the cylinders. It is now December and cold here in upstate NY.30 degrees today. Obviously the oil is thicker and I cant get as good a spin. It is a rope start pony. Does this affect the output of the Mag? I don't feel real good about the fit of the new terminals in the mag. cap. They feel kind of loose. But it was running just fine with these new wires this Summer.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Art

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 7:50 AM

dpendzic

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make sure the wire terminals didn't corrode, and file the points to remove oxidation

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 8:03 AM

Rome K/G

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Reply to dpendzic:

make sure the wire terminals didn't corrode, and file the points to remove oxidation

Never file point contacts! just use a fine grit emory cloth. plugs fouled?

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 8:20 AM

edb

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Reply to Rome K/G:

Never file point contacts! just use a fine grit emory cloth. plugs fouled?

Hi Art,
old maggies need all the help they can get.
My usual trick is to reduce the plug gap to around 0.012"-0.014" and see what you get.
Got 2 recalcitrant Ponies to fire off this way at a recent Cat Rally here Downunder.

If you still have no joy then you may have moisture in the Mag.

As said above use fine wet/dry paper folded over to clean both closed point faces at once.
Do not pull the paper all the way out or grit will embed in the points faces and cause problems.
Open the points by hand or by rolling the engine over and remove the paper keeping the points open.

Next use a piece of clean non-shiny paper---edge of news paper is good --to then draw thru the closed points to clean off any grit, oil etc. Do the same method as above re the points, and do not pull the paper all the way thru and out or fibres from the paper will stick on the points and insulate them from working.
Have used this method, as taught to me by my Dad who was an old biker from way back in the 30's, and it works.

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Eddie B

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 8:57 AM

ag-mike

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Reply to Rome K/G:

Never file point contacts! just use a fine grit emory cloth. plugs fouled?

may i ask why? what r all the point files i have r 4?

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 10:02 AM

dpendzic

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Reply to ag-mike:

may i ask why? what r all the point files i have r 4?

I have been buying and using point files my whole life--never have seemed to have a problem--and i always run a match book cover in them when done---is the file too aggressive?

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 10:37 AM

edb

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Reply to ag-mike:

may i ask why? what r all the point files i have r 4?

Hi Mike,
most people do not know how to use the files and try to file both points at once. As the files are fairly thick and the point pads get an angle filed onto them. This leads the points to only contact on an edge.
If you use a file you must file each point pad independently and this is not always easy to do in-situ.
For the average person the emery paper is thin and works well enough.

I have some of Dad's old points files and they show being blunted by the often harder points material and as a result are all but useless.
Your mileage may vary.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 10:44 AM

neil

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Reply to edb:

Hi Mike,
most people do not know how to use the files and try to file both points at once. As the files are fairly thick and the point pads get an angle filed onto them. This leads the points to only contact on an edge.
If you use a file you must file each point pad independently and this is not always easy to do in-situ.
For the average person the emery paper is thin and works well enough.

I have some of Dad's old points files and they show being blunted by the often harder points material and as a result are all but useless.
Your mileage may vary.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

Art, what's your location? Are you north of Albany or over Western NY? You can update your profile (see top right of forum page) with that info

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 11:34 AM

Old Magnet

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Reply to neil:

Art, what's your location? Are you north of Albany or over Western NY? You can update your profile (see top right of forum page) with that info

I've been using point files for ever. Thin file, I just pinch the points together when filing. Believe you can still get point files from McMaster at least last time I bought.

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 12:13 PM

drujinin

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Reply to Old Magnet:

I've been using point files for ever. Thin file, I just pinch the points together when filing. Believe you can still get point files from McMaster at least last time I bought.

have to spin fast in order to make a strong spark! If it is a healthy mag, even in cold weather you ought to be able to get a good enough spark out of it to start! If necessary, put lighter weight motor oil in the Pony and lengthen your starting rope as one more wrap on the pulley can make a big difference!
And like those guys said, "Update your Profile" that way we know where you are, there maybe someone close by who can help you out!

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 7:11 PM

8C 361

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Reply to drujinin:

have to spin fast in order to make a strong spark! If it is a healthy mag, even in cold weather you ought to be able to get a good enough spark out of it to start! If necessary, put lighter weight motor oil in the Pony and lengthen your starting rope as one more wrap on the pulley can make a big difference!
And like those guys said, "Update your Profile" that way we know where you are, there maybe someone close by who can help you out!

I always try to take the points out. I usually find one has a raised burr on it. You are not going to touch this hard burr with a file, I take a dremmel tool with a fine grindstone on it and create a slightly crowned surface. Points fire good and last a long time. Old points have a lot of good material. Newer points may be plated. Throw them away.

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Mon, Dec 8, 2014 8:51 PM

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