The Ford Barn

donQ · 10-09-2013, 06:41 PM

Many of the part suppliers sell adapter kits that let you convert to a common type coil. The coil offered is used on model "A"s and 49 up flatheads. These applications do not use a coil ballast resistor in series with the coil supply wire. The original coil mounted on the distributor does use a resistor in the supply wire, generally under the dash.
When you convert to the common style coil, do you eliminate the ballast resistor? Does the common style coil have a higher resistance internally to keep the current down?
thanks ,
donQ

4dFord/SC · 10-09-2013, 07:31 PM

Most of the later coils are internally resisted, and don't require a ballast resistor.

BUBBAS IGNITION · 10-09-2013, 08:48 PM

Could be what ever you want. Is it 12 volt ? If so run a 1.5 ohm coil and a 1.5 ohm ressitor.
Six volt use the cars ballast etc........

Carefully look over the kits quality , some are pretty flimsy etc.......the factory coil (in good shape) usually is fine as is.....

George/Maine · 10-10-2013, 11:19 AM

Ford and Mercury to 1948 need a resister with 6 volts system.
Ford is the only one using a resister with 6 volts.
12 volts if the coil needs a resister use it, very few don't need a resister .

firerod · 11-09-2013, 10:50 AM

I was looking at the kit offered by C&G Ford. Anyone know about the quality? Also, I have an older 12v coil I bought that is installed in a finned cover. Should I run a resistor? If so what type?

mike42 · 11-09-2013, 01:48 PM

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Firefox...... When I was having coil problems with my '40 I bought a C&G. It worked fine, but then I had two coils done by skip Haney and it works and runs even better. I have a 6 volt system.

Mike

mike42 · 11-09-2013, 01:49 PM

Oops...I meant Firerod ! Sorry !

IL41Flat · 11-10-2013, 07:46 PM

I use a 6 volt coil I brought from napa. states on coil "no external resister required" so I just by-passed the under dash resister. Been working good so far.

TJ · 11-10-2013, 09:52 PM

Last time I used an adapter I ran a 6 volt coil with an internal resistor and eliminated the stock resistor. it worked just fine and I never had a problem. Just be sure the coil you use is labeled that it is internally resisted.

10-09-2013, 06:41 PM	#1
donQ Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 146	ignition coil adapter kits Many of the part suppliers sell adapter kits that let you convert to a common type coil. The coil offered is used on model "A"s and 49 up flatheads. These applications do not use a coil ballast resistor in series with the coil supply wire. The original coil mounted on the distributor does use a resistor in the supply wire, generally under the dash. When you convert to the common style coil, do you eliminate the ballast resistor? Does the common style coil have a higher resistance internally to keep the current down? thanks , donQ

10-09-2013, 07:31 PM	#2
4dFord/SC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,579	Re: ignition coil adapter kits Most of the later coils are internally resisted, and don't require a ballast resistor.

10-09-2013, 08:48 PM	#3
BUBBAS IGNITION Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SPEEDWAY INDIANA Posts: 4,148	Re: ignition coil adapter kits Could be what ever you want. Is it 12 volt ? If so run a 1.5 ohm coil and a 1.5 ohm ressitor. Six volt use the cars ballast etc........ Carefully look over the kits quality , some are pretty flimsy etc.......the factory coil (in good shape) usually is fine as is..... __________________ If it Makes Spark, we do it !!!! www.bubbasignition.com [email protected]

10-10-2013, 11:19 AM	#4
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: ignition coil adapter kits Ford and Mercury to 1948 need a resister with 6 volts system. Ford is the only one using a resister with 6 volts. 12 volts if the coil needs a resister use it, very few don't need a resister .

11-09-2013, 10:50 AM	#5
firerod Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 413	Re: ignition coil adapter kits I was looking at the kit offered by C&G Ford. Anyone know about the quality? Also, I have an older 12v coil I bought that is installed in a finned cover. Should I run a resistor? If so what type?

11-09-2013, 01:48 PM	#6
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,605	Re: ignition coil adapter kits Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Firefox...... When I was having coil problems with my '40 I bought a C&G. It worked fine, but then I had two coils done by skip Haney and it works and runs even better. I have a 6 volt system. Mike

11-09-2013, 01:49 PM	#7
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,605	Re: ignition coil adapter kits Oops...I meant Firerod ! Sorry !

11-10-2013, 07:46 PM	#8
IL41Flat Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Illinois/Wisconsin Border Posts: 53	Re: ignition coil adapter kits I use a 6 volt coil I brought from napa. states on coil "no external resister required" so I just by-passed the under dash resister. Been working good so far.

11-10-2013, 09:52 PM	#9
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: ignition coil adapter kits Last time I used an adapter I ran a 6 volt coil with an internal resistor and eliminated the stock resistor. it worked just fine and I never had a problem. Just be sure the coil you use is labeled that it is internally resisted.