56 Cj5 No Spark - Resolved!! Photos Of Restore

HI All,

Just restored 56 CJ5. I can't get spark.
Coil is good and it is grounded
What can I do next?

Thank you, Robin

 

Welcome.

Are you familiar with how coils and points work? The points ground and "unground" the coil repeatedly. When grounded, power flows through the coil. The coil makes spark each time at the instant the points open and break the connection to ground. But the points then must close again immediately for the next cycle.

Have you checked the point gap?

 

Clean all grounds and replace the condenser.

 

Thank you much!!! Appreciate your input.
No I have not, do you know what the gap should be?
How do you check the grounds? The distributor is grounded.

 

Thank you!!!
How do you test the condenser?

 

56-CJ: the point gap is 0.02", or about thickness of a business card. Rotate the distributor (by turning engine) until point gap is open on highest part of cam (4 highs per cycle).

It's easiest to buy a condensor for a few dollars.

Check carefully all electrical contacts inside distributor cap before closing.

Check for good electrical contact of ignition wire on coil center.

Ron

 

This is great, appreciate your advise.
I am very excited to get this running, have been working on for a year and now is go time.
Have a great day and thank you!!!

 

It's a very good idea to have a Factory Service Manual (FSM) if you don't yet. Get a reprint of a Jeep original, not a generic like Haynes.

Also, try googling 'ignition point setting' procedure for broader guidance on technique.

I have a '56/57 like yours - these vehicles are delightfully simple but require love and attention - and they respond very well to it.
It will be a lot of fun when you get yours rolling.

 

Thank you, will do exactly that, get a manual. Great idea.
Stay posted, I want to share some pictures of the journey and some of the things I learned.

 

Yay, got it going!!!
Thanks for all your help
Changed the condenser and regapped.

 

Yes & Yes!

 

Rebuilt Carburator
Saved hundreds, I upholstered original seats
New steel tub
Original windshield
Sand blasted and painted original frame
Took each component off, cleaned and painted
Repaired original steering wheel, had a few cracks, filled with wood putty and painted - looks awesome, had to rethread with 13/16-20 die, ordered from ebay for $23.
Used nuts and bolts that I could and replaced the rest - stainless or hardened.
Seatbelts, roolbar and back seat bought from junk yard for $150, seat was tan, used fabric paint (NAPA) to make it black.
Going to add front roll bars once I get the kinks out.
Stripped, primed, painted my color choices. Red is not me.
Tractor supply has very cool retro accessories like the pull shackles I have on the front and rubber mat ($5 a foot) I am going to custom cut.
Original speedometer
Replaced fuel tank, tail gate, tub, rear lights/added back up - KaiserWilly
Used all original electrical except added for back up
New 3 speed shifter knob


Super fun project -

 

Yaaaay!

I like the color scheme. Fun.

Very impressive overall.

(FYI- The pull shackle is great but those eye bolts holding it won't withstand any real Jeep-type pulling. Picture below is the military M38A1 type, but even they are a bit light for winching, etc.)

 

Good Point, I like the way those are mounted. So many options. At first, I was challenged about how retro fitted this project was, and in the end, I liked that about it the most. Thanks for your support!! great community here.

 

You have done a fine job. Very nice looking jeep.

 

My Husbands 46 & mine is an early 56

I redid my brakes today - driver side, tomorrow passenger.
secured roll bar and seat belts

 

Nice

 

Great job. The retro part is what makes it unique. How boring would it be if all of our 56s were exactly the same.