Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-25-2020, 09:30 AM   #1
DomeLight
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 3
Default Ignition wire falls out

I have a 1931 Coupe with an original style ignition wire, with brass clips on the ends, and an aftermarket coil of some unknown type. The ignition wire falls out of the coil socket periodically and makes it hard to continue.

If I install a coil designed for an A can I expect the wire to stay in the coil? Is there some design of the socket that holds the original brass clips firmly?

I have tried to adjust the clip shape by bending it but this has not had any desirable effect.

Incidentally, once I drove over a bump, and the engine kept running, but the sound changed slightly. I stopped when it was safe and opened the hood. The ignition wire had fallen out but came to rest about a quarter inch away from the coil socket. The spark was jumping the gap, enough to keep the engine firing.
DomeLight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 09:35 AM   #2
chrs1961815
Senior Member
 
chrs1961815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Spring Grove, Illinois
Posts: 1,371
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

If you cannot get it to stay by bending the clip on the wire - it is probably the coil. Originals and new ones thesedays work fine. Your coil may have not been made for the application. Another thought - are you sure that you have the right wire?
__________________
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
chrs1961815 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-25-2020, 09:40 AM   #3
DomeLight
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 3
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

It is a lacquered wire that I bought for the purpose from one of the Model A supply houses. It came with clips and instructions to solder them in place. I think it is the right type.

Thanks, I think I will splurge on a new coil in the hopes that it holds the wire better.
DomeLight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 10:26 AM   #4
shew01
Senior Member
 
shew01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Roanoke, VA USA
Posts: 1,905
Default Ignition wire falls out

If you are going to order a coil, you may want to order a new coil wire as well. The one I purchased from Bratton’s recently was quite a firm fit for the coil and the distributor cap.

If it turns out to be the wire, a spare coil is nice to have on hand anyway.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
shew01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 12:22 PM   #5
redmodelt
Senior Member
 
redmodelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,339
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

Not being able to see the end you are asking about and how it was soldered on, you should be able to bend the tangs out from the side and should stay in place. Unless it is some exotic coil, most all coils should have about the same size hole where that wire fits. You could also try installing a boot at that end.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
redmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 12:23 PM   #6
Kurt in NJ
Senior Member
 
Kurt in NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,140
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Perhaps the solder bump is too large and it prevents it from seating in the groove in the coil tower
Kurt in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 01:41 PM   #7
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

I secured mine with a little bit of black silicone caulk. Cant see it and it holds firm.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 02:46 PM   #8
burner31
Senior Member
 
burner31's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Shawnee, Ok
Posts: 3,471
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

You could always expand the clips with a screwdriver a bit to fit more securely in the coil.
__________________
Keith
Shawnee OK
'31 SW 160-B
burner31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 03:55 PM   #9
DomeLight
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 3
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

Thanks everyone for the thoughts.

burner31 and redmodelt: I tried spreading the clip arms but it still slips out. I think the coil socket must be a different shape than the original and it just doesn't engage. The previous owner had a boot on the wire but it slipped off with that also.

Kurt in NJ: I thought of that, so I filed down the solder blob to the brass (it was still soldered on the inside of the clip). Still slips out.

1crosscut: Now I have the wire lashed on with zip ties - your silicone caulk idea seems better than mine if I can't get it to stay with a correct coil.

I have taken shrew 01's advice and ordered both a coil and a wire. I am hopeful that will solve the problem.

Thanks again.
DomeLight is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 10:23 AM   #10
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

IIRC, original wires were 7mm, some of the newer stuff is 8mm. Perhaps you have a 7mm wire and a coil made for 8mm wire.
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 10:35 AM   #11
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

Did you look into the coil to see if there is an old wire end clip that was stuck in there by accident? That might cause the new one to not seat. Usually the clip ends grip very tightly into the coil.
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 10:49 AM   #12
PC/SR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Posts: 1,276
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

Do you have a rubber boot that holds securely?
PC/SR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 11:03 AM   #13
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Ignition wire falls out

My coil wire was bad, it had a boot on it hiding corrosion. I ordered a new wire and installed it leaving the boot off the coil end but left a boot on the dizzy end. I've been running around with the hood off and water might get into that connection. The old coil wire terminal ends would pull out easily, even after messing around with them, I did use some electrical grease on the connections.
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done
Big hammer 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 12:15 AM.