Saving Old Seagulls

Hi chaps, I'm trying to get an old century up and running but there's only an occasional spark. Having read old posts on the subject I've realised I need to check the ignition system with a meter. Ha ha ha, this is where I become a nurd, I'm not fluent in these things, so I need help please. I've bought a multimeter off the bay, digital. What do I set the dial to to check the coil? Then what should the reading be? Please try and tell me in simple words thanks.

Gerard

Your digital Meter should have a dial im sure. Turn it to the OHMs area. About 20K is what you need. Put the red on the coil pad (were the end of the plug lead meets) and earth out the black to anything metal on the motor. Should have anything from 3K to 5K OHMs

Hello again, just returned from doing my bi-annual (what every husband has to do) keep the wife happy by going to a Cliff Richard concert. Well that's what I'm forced into.
Back to my Century. If this has been explained before sorry. I'm not getting a good continuous spark so I'm trying to check the coil with a meter. I've set the dial at 200 on the ohmns section (upside down horseshoe I presume is the sign). Now I know to put the red connector to the red wire on the coil and the black to earth, this gets a reading ok. Now am I right on thinking I now put the red connection on the solder under the coil (I presume this is the thin wire from the coil to the ht lead and earth the black? I got a reading again. I must admit the readings keep changing but I assume the coil is obviously not dead then. Would I now presume that my problem is the points.
It's a Mark II ignition by the way.
Sorry for explaining this in layman's terms, my technical knowledge is limited.

Gerard

Yep, thats all correct. Now you need to check the continuity of the HT lead. Set the meter to continuity (The meter should bleep when you put the 2 probes together) Then put one end on the spark plug end of the lead and the other where the HT lead connects to the coil. If it bleeps the HT should be ok.

If you clean the points using fine grade wet and dry and then pull a piece of clean paper between them you should be ok.

dirty points and/or tired HT lead is often the cause of a problem. Imagine how your car would run if the plug leads were 20 years old or more...

I have nothing to add about the multimeter business but I really must express my astonishment that any sane male can be persuaded to go to a Cliff concert. My admiration for your dedication and your sheer stamina knows no bounds...

Charles, I'm sure you know all too well " a man must do what a man must do". I've never seen so many zimmers in one place, and that was the stage ha ha. At least the wife enjoyed it.

Sorry, thanks Oyster, I'm pleased to hear I've got it right so far.

No worries. Anybody who is forced to watch Cliff Richard needs as much help as possible.

Whats a Zimmer

Search the forum I use them as stands.

To use as a stand for yourself hey Charles

I just googled it and this is what i came up with.

It's an aid for helping people walk, usually the oldies (like Charles) ha ha. To explain the joke, it's mostly the elderly who go to Cliff Richard concerts now, mostly with hearing problems, thus you will note there's not many people go to his concerts now.

Anyway, back to my engine. The coil seems good, so it's the points I'm concentrating on now. I'll give them a clean and see how I go. I assume I can buy new points if needed?

Gerard

Yes you can get new points, but usually a clean and gap is all they need.

As charles said. A good clean and reset will cure all problems. You shouldnt need new points at all.