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 10-24-2019, 09:33 PM   #1
Phil Gillespie
Senior Member
 
Phil Gillespie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
Posts: 1,610
Default HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Today was having 6v +ve earth system checked for irregular miss and hard starting. Presently fitted with can coil to adaptor plate on diver's helmet distributor. Carbon core leads.
Had 3 HT leads from coil to adaptor, 2 measured at 11.5 k ohms one at 13.4 k ohms. He produced one which was at 2.4 k ohms and said this would give better spark.
My question is what should they be? And will these readings show any change in performance in use as my 3 are quite new.
Appreciate advice here as always.
Phil NZ
Phil Gillespie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2019, 09:50 PM   #2
deuce_roadster
Senior Member
 
deuce_roadster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Shelton, WA
Posts: 3,799
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

I would ditch the carbon core wires for real wire for anything on a 6v system. There is a real problem if you use too hot a coil on those helmet distributors and have too much resistance in the plug wires and/ or have too large of a plug gap. Electricity is simple, it will ALWAYS go to the easiest ground. With too much resistance, that can lead to the spark jumping to the shaft inside the rotor, the one it rotates on. That is why .025 plug gap is recommended, so if your coil is some real hot high voltage one, this could be part of your irregular miss. I know you asked about the coil wire but it makes me wonder about your plug wires.
deuce_roadster is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 10-24-2019, 10:12 PM   #3
Phil Gillespie
Senior Member
 
Phil Gillespie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
Posts: 1,610
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Quote:
Originally Posted by deuce_roadster View Post
I would ditch the carbon core wires for real wire for anything on a 6v system. There is a real problem if you use too hot a coil on those helmet distributors and have too much resistance in the plug wires and/ or have too large of a plug gap. Electricity is simple, it will ALWAYS go to the easiest ground. With too much resistance, that can lead to the spark jumping to the shaft inside the rotor, the one it rotates on. That is why .025 plug gap is recommended, so if your coil is some real hot high voltage one, this could be part of your irregular miss. I know you asked about the coil wire but it makes me wonder about your plug wires.
Appreciate your thoughts as to the carbon core wire at HT lead.
Will be going back to original coil as rewound by Skip and that should rule out the coil. Condense is supplied by 3rd Generation so that should be good. Also will check plug leads also. My plug gaps are 25 thou.
Phil NZ
Phil Gillespie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-24-2019, 11:12 PM   #4
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,303
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

"deuce_roadster" has it right. Suppression wires on these old cars are problematic.
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2019, 02:02 AM   #5
Phil Gillespie
Senior Member
 
Phil Gillespie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
Posts: 1,610
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubman View Post
"deuce_roadster" has it right. Suppression wires on these old cars are problematic.
What is the recommended wire to use for spark plugs. The copper core is the one to go with and not the carbon core type right? Where to get a set of good quality plug wires?
Thanks Phil NZ
Phil Gillespie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2019, 02:25 AM   #6
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269420


good article.

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/1006rc-ignition-wiring/


more for fun
http://jerickweb.50webs.com/autobin/...lug_wires.html


If you know what you want this couple have been good to me.
https://www.thehotrodcompany.com/pro...ark-plug-wire/
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2019, 03:26 AM   #7
Phil Gillespie
Senior Member
 
Phil Gillespie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
Posts: 1,610
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Good reading in all articles.I'm a simple 6v points ignition system so the solid copper wires for the spark plugs. And refit the original Skip rewound coil and a couple of the important ones should be ok. Will recheck resistance in all my copper plug wires and go from there. These copper wires either work or fail as i understand.
Many thanks,
Phil NZ
Phil Gillespie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2019, 08:18 AM   #8
BUBBAS IGNITION
Senior Member
 
BUBBAS IGNITION's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA
Posts: 4,148
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Carbon wire is allowed 1000 ohms per inch with a 22 inch wire being allowed 22,000 ohms and still withing spec. The makers used to sell a machine ( or give them to shops) to check these wires with , as long a there is a circuit they are usually good . The resistance filters out the ac voltage swings to suppress radio noise interference.
The carbon usually breaks at one end or the other and spark begins to jump across the break for many miles , then when it cant jusp any more it will cause a miss.
The helmet coil adapters use a very problem matic cheap condensor , change the condensor to something you know is good , like a FA54 or RR175 NAPA condensor more than lkely thats you missfire....
__________________
If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!!
www.bubbasignition.com
[email protected]
BUBBAS IGNITION is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2019, 10:23 AM   #9
Phil Gillespie
Senior Member
 
Phil Gillespie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
Posts: 1,610
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BUBBAS IGNITION View Post
Carbon wire is allowed 1000 ohms per inch with a 22 inch wire being allowed 22,000 ohms and still withing spec. The makers used to sell a machine ( or give them to shops) to check these wires with , as long a there is a circuit they are usually good . The resistance filters out the ac voltage swings to suppress radio noise interference.
The carbon usually breaks at one end or the other and spark begins to jump across the break for many miles , then when it cant jusp any more it will cause a miss.
The helmet coil adapters use a very problem matic cheap condensor , change the condensor to something you know is good , like a FA54 or RR175 NAPA condensor more than lkely thats you missfire....
Thanks for your good advice Bubba.
Phil NZ
Phil Gillespie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2019, 11:30 AM   #10
deuce_roadster
Senior Member
 
deuce_roadster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Shelton, WA
Posts: 3,799
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Phil, also make sure the ends of the plug wires SNAP into the inner caps, you have to push really hard for them to get "home" sometimes. If they push in and just stop, they should most likely go a little farther and you will feel it get the last little bit all the way in.
Good luck!
deuce_roadster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2019, 02:03 PM   #11
FlatheadTed
Senior Member
 
FlatheadTed's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auckland
Posts: 4,700
Send a message via AIM to FlatheadTed
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Phil if its a older adapter like the German bremy solder the contact /condenser arm to the brass rivet ,
__________________
http://www.flatheadted.com


Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,
FlatheadTed is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 10-25-2019, 06:20 PM   #12
Phil Gillespie
Senior Member
 
Phil Gillespie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
Posts: 1,610
Default Re: HT Lead Coil to adaptor on Distributor. 39 Coupe.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlatheadTed View Post
Phil if its a older adapter like the German bremy solder the contact /condenser arm to the brass rivet ,
Gonna go back to the old style coil and have some good condensers ex 3rd Generation and now some ordered "trashcan" style with the generous assistance of Tubman.
Dont like the adaptor with the HT lead which sits too close to tip of fan blade.

Also in process of testing/ setting up the locally made Electronic Ignition unit as made here in NZ. It was featured in Beaded Wheels recently.
They come in 12 v or 6v +ve or -ve earth. Still use existing distributor points but do away with the condenser. Have one unit set up on an engine on test stand which starts up good. Made by Magnetpower NZ Ltd right here in Belfast North Canterbury.
Phil NZ
Phil Gillespie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


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 04:05 AM.