The Ford Barn

Greg out west · 12-29-2013, 02:42 PM

Hi Guy's

I was just thinking,,,Since a Model T coil put's out a constant "Spark"...Couldn't it be used in a emergency to get you going in case of condenser, Coil, or ignition switch failure...Just plug into the dist hot lead...As long as the rotor is turning I think it would work ???...

Greg out West,,

MikeK · 12-29-2013, 02:53 PM

A "T" has FOUR coils that are intermittently powered by a "timer". If rigged for constant output and fed to an "A" distributor there would be massive internal arcing, cross-firing, and virtually no timing control. I doubt it would run at all. Emergency in an A? - If you're paranoid, carry a spare coil, points, condenser.

Mitch//pa · 12-29-2013, 03:03 PM

yes it can run here is an old thread about running on a buzz box and also the link to the video..
thread::
http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...ight=buzz+coil
video::
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xNM4h4uH70

Steve Sturim · 12-29-2013, 03:29 PM

I have an NOS K-W emergency coil, it is commercially made back in the day, it clips to the hood support rod and then wires into the ignition with alligator clips to get you home. And all it is just a Model T coil with the wiring attached to it. Yes, it is for sale.

redmodelt · 12-29-2013, 06:02 PM

You can close up the points and use it as just a coil. Some T's with distributors were run using a single T coil with the other 3 being spairs. There would also be a resistance unit in line with the points.

Bruce,Upstate NY · 12-29-2013, 10:15 PM

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They work fine bypassing everything except the rotor. Several cars have been run by the one I carry for emergencies. It takes about 30 seconds to hook up (after you locate it) The timing is not variable, however.

walt jones · 12-29-2013, 10:53 PM

Bruce is right. I have demonstrated this to doubters in our club. Unhook the normal coil wire from the top of the distributer then hook the T coils high voltage lead in it's place. Connect the power leads from the T coil to battery at the top of the starter and to ground at a head bolt, the coil will start buzzing. Turning the engine over will start the car. Done this way the coil bypasses all of the cars electrical system, points and condenser,coil and switch. The spark lever will have no effect, All possible causes of failure. The rotor in the distributer provides the timing, sparking each time it passes a distribter cap spark plug contact. This method will allow you to get to a more convenient place for in depth trouble shooting

Greg out west · 12-30-2013, 11:45 AM

Thanks guy's for confirming my idea,,,I knew it would work,,,

Greg out West

tbirdtbird · 12-30-2013, 10:02 PM

Walt knows what he is talking about. I have made just such a 'buzz box', as a replacement for a a well-known Snap-On 'buzz box' that has not been available in yrs. I have driven home several vehicles using this device. You cannot go far because you have no timing control. Keep spark lever all the way up and do not turn the buzz box on until the starter motor has already engaged the motor and is already spinning the crankshaft. Even tho the lever is up, you will end up with about 10* advance. If you think about it you will realize why this is so. You can at least make it to a safe place off the road. In a more modern vehicle you have centrifugal advance which makes this work better. As stated, do NOT use hand crank for this, but A drivers seldom have to do this.
For a 12V system you will have to add a ballast resistor

Pete · 12-30-2013, 10:16 PM

Well, having determined that you can run the car with the T coil, assume something else broke like the transmission. You can use the T coil to call for help by hooking it up to the nearest wire fence. I talked over 5 miles with one when I was in high school.

tbirdtbird · 12-30-2013, 10:23 PM

ppl used those T coils for all kinds of stuff back then.
How do you think the first electric fence for cattle was made?

12-29-2013, 02:42 PM	#1
Greg out west Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So. Cal Posts: 249	Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? Hi Guy's I was just thinking,,,Since a Model T coil put's out a constant "Spark"...Couldn't it be used in a emergency to get you going in case of condenser, Coil, or ignition switch failure...Just plug into the dist hot lead...As long as the rotor is turning I think it would work ???... Greg out West,,

12-29-2013, 02:53 PM	#2
MikeK Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Windy City Posts: 2,919	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? A "T" has FOUR coils that are intermittently powered by a "timer". If rigged for constant output and fed to an "A" distributor there would be massive internal arcing, cross-firing, and virtually no timing control. I doubt it would run at all. Emergency in an A? - If you're paranoid, carry a spare coil, points, condenser.

12-29-2013, 03:03 PM	#3
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? yes it can run here is an old thread about running on a buzz box and also the link to the video.. thread:: http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...ight=buzz+coil video:: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xNM4h4uH70

12-29-2013, 03:29 PM	#4
Steve Sturim Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 59	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? I have an NOS K-W emergency coil, it is commercially made back in the day, it clips to the hood support rod and then wires into the ignition with alligator clips to get you home. And all it is just a Model T coil with the wiring attached to it. Yes, it is for sale.

12-29-2013, 06:02 PM	#5
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,342	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? You can close up the points and use it as just a coil. Some T's with distributors were run using a single T coil with the other 3 being spairs. There would also be a resistance unit in line with the points.

12-29-2013, 10:15 PM	#6
Bruce,Upstate NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, NY Posts: 385	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) They work fine bypassing everything except the rotor. Several cars have been run by the one I carry for emergencies. It takes about 30 seconds to hook up (after you locate it) The timing is not variable, however.

12-29-2013, 10:53 PM	#7
walt jones Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kansas City, Mo. Posts: 101	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? Bruce is right. I have demonstrated this to doubters in our club. Unhook the normal coil wire from the top of the distributer then hook the T coils high voltage lead in it's place. Connect the power leads from the T coil to battery at the top of the starter and to ground at a head bolt, the coil will start buzzing. Turning the engine over will start the car. Done this way the coil bypasses all of the cars electrical system, points and condenser,coil and switch. The spark lever will have no effect, All possible causes of failure. The rotor in the distributer provides the timing, sparking each time it passes a distribter cap spark plug contact. This method will allow you to get to a more convenient place for in depth trouble shooting __________________ Walt

12-30-2013, 11:45 AM	#8
Greg out west Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So. Cal Posts: 249	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? Thanks guy's for confirming my idea,,,I knew it would work,,, Greg out West

12-30-2013, 10:02 PM	#9
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? Walt knows what he is talking about. I have made just such a 'buzz box', as a replacement for a a well-known Snap-On 'buzz box' that has not been available in yrs. I have driven home several vehicles using this device. You cannot go far because you have no timing control. Keep spark lever all the way up and do not turn the buzz box on until the starter motor has already engaged the motor and is already spinning the crankshaft. Even tho the lever is up, you will end up with about 10* advance. If you think about it you will realize why this is so. You can at least make it to a safe place off the road. In a more modern vehicle you have centrifugal advance which makes this work better. As stated, do NOT use hand crank for this, but A drivers seldom have to do this. For a 12V system you will have to add a ballast resistor __________________ '31 180A Last edited by tbirdtbird; 12-30-2013 at 11:51 PM.

12-30-2013, 10:16 PM	#10
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,409	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? Well, having determined that you can run the car with the T coil, assume something else broke like the transmission. You can use the T coil to call for help by hooking it up to the nearest wire fence. I talked over 5 miles with one when I was in high school.

12-30-2013, 10:23 PM	#11
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Model T coil as Emergency back up ?? ppl used those T coils for all kinds of stuff back then. How do you think the first electric fence for cattle was made? __________________ '31 180A