How to restore T Ford Buzzcoils

[Ford20]

Greetings to all from DownUnder. Can anyone help me with information on how restore the T Ford coils. Strip down, new capacitor / condenser type etc and any tips.

I had some information many years ago when I had my first T Ford, but it has been lost over the years.

Look forward to hearing from any members, meanwhile I hope you all have a Great Day

[fordman67]

I sure am curious to see what is involved.I have in the past just sent them to the coil man.he fixes them right up.

[JohninKuranda]

Hi
I have several coils that over the years I have replaced. They sit there, mute - waiting for the day when I know I feel inclined to do it. This video may assist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Acs-ERzlY or this article
http://members.iinet.net.au/~cool386...fordcoils.html

I do just wish that I knew of a place that rebuilds them in Australia similar to the Coilman!

Cheers
John

[Ford20]

Thank John, I will check out the info you gave me,
Cheers,
Geoff

[redmodelt]

Do a web search of "mtfca; coil rebuild"
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...tml?1383439798
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...tml?1364507902
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...tml?1228712024

There are a lot more. While a home built coil testing setup with a 3 amp meter is not going to tell you if they are double sparking it it will put you in the ball park if there is not a hand cranked coil tester (HCCT) available for use. If you want to build a HCCT there is lots of info on the web to do that also.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages...ter-111947.pdf

[Ford20]

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Hi redmodelt, Many thanks for the leads, I will check them out, didn't realize that the coils could get so technical and was a bit "shell shocked" after I read one of the leads, I'm a carpenter/draughtsman not an engineering Professor, Ha! Ha!

But I'm always willing to have a go at something, even though I'm 65 years old, hopefully it is possible to teach and "old dog new tricks"
Thanks again and have a Great Day,
Cheers,
Geoff

[15max]

MTFCA also has some good videos on rebuilding coils available.

[Ford20]

Hello 15max, I will check it out, many thanks, So far I have had some good leads, still checking them out,
cheers,
Geoff

[CharlieB]

I do my own and have developed a few "oddities" others might not do. After removing the sliding door I pass a 2" putty knife blade down between the tar and the left side wood panel of the case. The one opposite the brass contacts. This usually frees up that panel so it can be carefully pried off. removing this panel makes taking the old capacitor out easy. I leave the glass insulator in place. There's plenty of room for the replacement cap. I don't un-solder the connections but I solder the new connections to the metal tabs that are in every coil. I don't re-fill the coil totally with tar but add wood blocks or spacers to take up most of the space and secure all with tar. I usually have enough tar left over from the cap removal to fill the gaps. No need to completely re-fill it. Just secure everything. I use a small metal can with a spout bent into it with a vice grips for a handle and a propane torch to melt the tar. Do this outside. Your family will thank you. I clean the cases with a scraper, stain & seal with a light coat of Poly. The tops are painted flat black. New points of course. I have a friend who HCCT's them for me and I highly recommend you get this done as the difference in power & performance with properly set-up coils is just plain nuts.

[Ford20]

Thanks CharlieB, Another lot of information I will add to my collection. At least I know a lot more now than when I started thanks to the sharing of information from Model T owners and members, all help gratefully appreciated.
Cheers,
Geoff

[oliverguy]

If your looking for a challenge, certainly there are plenty of resources on how to do it. For me, I had enough going with the car so I sent them out to the coil man who did the work and tested them on the HCCT.

[Ford20]

Thanks oliverguy, Ive still a long way to go before I need the coils, so I haven't decided what to do yet, may ending up sending coils to a guy who know what he's doing as I believe that having a correctly set up ignition system would greatly contribute to a "cool" running T Ford, just my opinion,
cheers,
Geoff

[redmodelt]

Not to take any thing away from this site, there are a number of guys that post on the MTFCA forum that live "down under". I will suggest you signing up and posting there too I am sure that someone will be quick to help.
MarkG
PS with shipping you might be better off just paying the core charge so you don't have to pay shipping both ways if you get a set from the US. If you post a question on the MTFCA forum, unlike this site where you can see where the poster is from, would be good idea to use "Old, Australia" as part of your name.

[Ford20]

Hello MarkG, Many thanks for the tips, sounds like a good idea. I enjoy looking through all the swap meet adds on the T Ford Barn site just to see pics etc, lots of T gear over there, no surprise there, Ha! Ha,
Cheers,
Geoff