Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-19-2018, 03:48 PM   #1
6lucky13
Senior Member
 
6lucky13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Poway, CA (San Diego County)
Posts: 120
Default Too Tall Coil

I’ve been troubleshooting my rough running issue (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247907) and was isolating on the coil. I found that a rebuilt coil I had was sitting too tall on the distributor causing the fan blades to hit it! I thought the generator/fan had slipped and, therefore, reset the generator. Still hits.

The middle coil is a Ford script coil; the one on the left is stamped “Standard” and both fit without issue. The too tall coil is not marked on top but has SME stamped on the underside.

Have never seen this issue reported or discussed here. Has anyone else encountered this problem?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0762.jpg (25.6 KB, 69 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0763.jpg (27.7 KB, 61 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0765.jpg (28.7 KB, 59 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0766.jpg (34.9 KB, 57 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0767.jpg (35.4 KB, 56 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0768.jpg (56.2 KB, 56 views)
__________________
Kerry
6lucky13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 04:06 PM   #2
Andy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Kerrville, Tx
Posts: 2,768
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Slightly longer fan belt??
Andy is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 09-19-2018, 05:24 PM   #3
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Is this for the car in your avatar? If so, I'd suggest you install the correct distributor along with the correct coil...that would be the easiest way.
Or, a longer belt as has been suggested.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 05:51 PM   #4
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,371
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

I think there were two types in 1936. The early one was the dome top from 34 to 36. The later one was a flat top & had two screws If remember correctly. It seems they were different from the 37 to 41 set up too. A lot of them had the dome top and would have no trouble with clearance. A person just needs to know what they have.

If that car has a 1937 engine, the distributor may have followed it along.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 09-19-2018 at 05:56 PM.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 07:53 PM   #5
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Quote:
Originally Posted by rotorwrench View Post
I think there were two types in 1936. The early one was the dome top from 34 to 36. The later one was a flat top & had two screws If remember correctly. It seems they were different from the 37 to 41 set up too. A lot of them had the dome top and would have no trouble with clearance. A person just needs to know what they have.

If that car has a 1937 engine, the distributor may have followed it along.
You are correct of course.

The coils shown belong to the 37 - 41 group. They are slightly taller than the 36 coil(s).
I do know from personally experience that a 37 - 41 dizzy and coil will fit on a 36. What I don't know, is of they will fit with a correct 36 belt.
I'd suggested going to the authentic dizzy and coil as I prefer to do things correctly.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 10:07 PM   #6
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
If they are 2 bolt then after 37 as I'm aware. Thought pre 37 motors were 3 bolt coils. Could be wrong and often am. Haven't looked at my coil for my 36 in a few yrs, (skip rebuilt it, gratuitous thank you ). It's a early domed, not a flattop, flattop could be a 2 bolt and a transition coil.

32 motors had a real tall coil that looked like a ridiculous conehead. Don't think that transferred over to 33's but maybe. Twice what you have pictured in height.


You're built coil may just need a longer belt, if you have a pocket to run it in.

Last edited by Tinker; 09-19-2018 at 11:07 PM.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 11:06 PM   #7
JM 35 Sedan
Senior Member
 
JM 35 Sedan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland
Posts: 10,856
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinker View Post
If they are 2 bolt then after 37 as I'm aware. Thought pre 37 motors were 3 bolt coils. Could be wrong and often am. Haven't looked at my coil for my 36 in a few yrs, (skip rebuilt it, gratuitous thank you ). It's a early domed, not a flattop, flattop could be a 2 bolt and a transition coil.

32 motors had a real tall coil that looked like a ridiculous conehead. Don't think that transferred over to 33's but maybe. Twice what you have pictured in height.
There was a short lived, late 36 distributor, that had a cylindrical bodied coil, with a flat top. This coil was mounted to the distributor with two screws, but these screws were on a different angle as compared to a two screw mount coil used from 37 to 41.
__________________
John

"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein
JM 35 Sedan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2018, 11:10 PM   #8
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

John I've only seen pictures, but that is what I understand the late 36 flat type looked like. Thank you for adding. Very interesting about the angle of the machine screws.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 04:23 AM   #9
Brian
Senior Member
 
Brian's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Masterton, New Zealand
Posts: 3,816
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

A 36 fan will hit the 37 coil. The 37 fan, whilst a bigger dia than 36, has different shaped blades to clear the taller coil.
__________________
Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!
Brian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 04:48 AM   #10
deuce lover
Senior Member
 
deuce lover's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern France
Posts: 5,279
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

No room for a 37 fan in a 36 if all is stock.37 Fan hub is about 2"
deuce lover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 08:11 AM   #11
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Wouldn't having the current coil rebuilt be an easy solution?
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 01:08 PM   #12
Brian
Senior Member
 
Brian's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Masterton, New Zealand
Posts: 3,816
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

'No room for a 37 fan in a 36 if all is stock'

Exactly my point, so by running a 36 fan, you'll get contact!!
__________________
Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!
Brian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 01:36 PM   #13
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,371
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

I'd go for the earlier dome type distributor if one is available anywhere. Find one with an good coil & have it rebuilt. It would look more at home in a 36 even with a 37 block with the water pump block off plates. The 37 & 38 21-stud engines were pretty adaptable. Definitely the best of the 21-stud motors in my opinion.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-20-2018, 02:23 PM   #14
G.M.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Florida and Penna.
Posts: 4,471
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Quote:
Originally Posted by 6lucky13 View Post
I’ve been troubleshooting my rough running issue (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=247907) and was isolating on the coil. I found that a rebuilt coil I had was sitting too tall on the distributor causing the fan blades to hit it! I thought the generator/fan had slipped and, therefore, reset the generator. Still hits.

The middle coil is a Ford script coil; the one on the left is stamped “Standard” and both fit without issue. The too tall coil is not marked on top but has SME stamped on the underside.

Have never seen this issue reported or discussed here. Has anyone else encountered this problem?
Is the SME stamped or etched?? If etched it is most likely a coil skip
rebuilt for you or someone else. You may be able to swap it out with
him. G.M.
__________________
www.fordcollector.com
G.M. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2018, 02:44 PM   #15
6lucky13
Senior Member
 
6lucky13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Poway, CA (San Diego County)
Posts: 120
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

First of all, I should have mentioned that the car/engine in question is a 36 Cabriolet with a 37 engine. (It was stated in my referenced post and I did not think to re-state it…my mistake.) It is all stock for 36 except the engine and block- off plates. Sorry for all the diversion regarding the correct distributor/coil and fan blade.

Rotorwrench is correct…the distributor and coil were in the car when it was purchased 20 years ago. And it has run this way ever since… except for a failed coil about 5 years ago. I believe this distributor/coil combination would be correct for the engine.

I don’t have much room for a larger fan belt as there is about 1″ clearance in the radiator dimple.

I will send the suspect coils to Skip for rebuild (one has been rebuilt previously). I am also looking for suitable replacements. So far I have only seen 1 of the taller coils.

The SME coil is stamped not etched on the underside.

I have 2 questions:
1. Am I the only owner of a 36 car with a 37 engine who has observed this issue?
2. If I would change to a shorter style coil, what can I use?

Thanks…
__________________
Kerry
6lucky13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2018, 07:38 PM   #16
Kube
Senior Member
 
Kube's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 8,937
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Quote:
Originally Posted by 6lucky13 View Post
First of all, I should have mentioned that the car/engine in question is a 36 Cabriolet with a 37 engine. (It was stated in my referenced post and I did not think to re-state it…my mistake.) It is all stock for 36 except the engine and block- off plates. Sorry for all the diversion regarding the correct distributor/coil and fan blade.

Rotorwrench is correct…the distributor and coil were in the car when it was purchased 20 years ago. And it has run this way ever since… except for a failed coil about 5 years ago. I believe this distributor/coil combination would be correct for the engine.

I don’t have much room for a larger fan belt as there is about 1″ clearance in the radiator dimple.

I will send the suspect coils to Skip for rebuild (one has been rebuilt previously). I am also looking for suitable replacements. So far I have only seen 1 of the taller coils.

The SME coil is stamped not etched on the underside.

I have 2 questions:
1. Am I the only owner of a 36 car with a 37 engine who has observed this issue?
2. If I would change to a shorter style coil, what can I use?

Thanks…
Kerry,
The shortest coil out there is the "flat top" 36 style. You'd need the respective distributor as well.
You might check with George Haney as he may very well have one completed and ready to ship.
__________________
"I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".
Kube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-22-2018, 07:45 PM   #17
petehoovie
Senior Member
 
petehoovie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 7,933
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Kube said:

"Kerry,
The shortest coil out there is the "flat top" 36 style. You'd need the respective distributor as well.
You might check with George Haney as he may very well have one completed and ready to ship."

George "Ship" Haney > 941-637-6698 or 941-505-9085 > email [email protected]
__________________
The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others....

"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"
"We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0
petehoovie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2018, 12:23 AM   #18
deuce lover
Senior Member
 
deuce lover's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern France
Posts: 5,279
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

After reading your post #15 ,what intake manifold do you have on the engine ? If its a '37 the generator mounts lower.If that is the case replacing it with a 35-36 with a higher gen mount could solve the problem.Here is a pic of a 37 intake.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 37-39 intake 1.jpg (91.1 KB, 10 views)
deuce lover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2018, 12:31 PM   #19
6lucky13
Senior Member
 
6lucky13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Poway, CA (San Diego County)
Posts: 120
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

Quote:
Originally Posted by deuce lover View Post
After reading your post #15 ,what intake manifold do you have on the engine ? If its a '37 the generator mounts lower.If that is the case replacing it with a 35-36 with a higher gen mount could solve the problem.Here is a pic of a 37 intake.
The intake is a 36 aluminum manifold and, as you are aware, the generator mount is higher than a 37 CI intake. At one time I thought of installing a 37 intake but realized that the fan would be a problem hitting the coil. So would need to replace the fan or distributor/coil. Decided to keep it as it is.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_0776.jpg (62.3 KB, 11 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_0775.jpg (28.5 KB, 12 views)
__________________
Kerry
6lucky13 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2018, 02:01 PM   #20
deuce lover
Senior Member
 
deuce lover's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern France
Posts: 5,279
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

You could put in a remote coil adapter .
deuce lover is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2018, 02:25 PM   #21
JM 35 Sedan
Senior Member
 
JM 35 Sedan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Near Rising Sun, Maryland
Posts: 10,856
Default Re: Too Tall Coil

We are currently installing a rebuilt 37, 21 stud engine in a 35 fordor sedan. We will be using a 35 intake manifold, 35 generator and fan, 35 distributor with dome top coil, 35 CI heads, 35/36 water pumps, 35 motor mounts/water inlets, and block off plates that cover the holes in the block that the 37 water pumps would have used. This will all bolt in place in the engine compartment and look just like a 35 engine, except for the block off plates on the front of the block.
In your case, for proper fan clearance, you should use a 33 to early 36 distributor and coil to prevent the fan from hitting the coil as Kube mentioned previously in posts #3 & 5, and rotowrench mentioned in post #4.
__________________
John

"Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts". Albert Einstein
JM 35 Sedan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:17 PM.