12 volt coil

Thanks,
Tim in oklyhomie

I'm a 2 finger typer so it will be slow!

Let me see if I've got thing straight;

48 8N, front mount dist., 12 volt conversion, 6 volt coil, hard to start. You say you have a resistor in-line. If you have a 6 volt coil, you should have 2 resistors in-line, the original ballast resistor (on the back of the dash), and a ~1.6 ohm resistor. If you only have 1

If you only have 1 resistor and a 6 volt coil, you have probably fried the coil. If you have a 12 volt coil and a resistor, you are probably not getting enough electricity to the coil.

If you have a 6 volt coil, use a VOM and measure the voltage at the top of the coil with the points closed. You should have about 3.5 volts. If much less, the extra resistor has too much resistance. Get another resistor and replace. I took my VOM to the auto parts house and measured several resistors until I found one with 1.6 ohms resistance.

If you have a 12 volt coil, again measure the voltage at the top of the coil with the points closed. You should get about 10.5 volts. If less, again the resistor is the wrong one.

Hope this helps,
Danny

The answer is: It depends. All 12V coils are not created equal. Some have internal current limiting resistance and do not require external resistance to limit the current. Some require an external resistor. Yes, even on a 12V coil on a 12V system. If you can provide more information on the specific coil which you are going to use, we can provide a better answer.

If you have a side mount setup, with a properly functioning 12v charging system, and have a 12 to 6 dropping resistor, and the oem 6v roundcan coil.. then yes.. you can get an appropriate 12v coil and do away with the resistor.. I believe napa # MPEIC14SB ( IC 14-SB ) is a possibility.. I'm sure there are other performance coils out there you might use as well..

If you have a front mount oem 6v square coil, and the oem ballast resistor and a 12 to 6v resistor.. then you can remove both resistors.. get the 12v repalcement coil. Dell will usually recomend getting a 2 pack of radioshack 10watt 1 ohm resistors and twist the ends together in parallel to make a 20 watt 1/2 ohm current limiting resistor.. and add that inline with the new 12v square front coil, as a way to make its life a bit easier... Dell has a radioshack part number.. but it escapes me at the moment... I was doing good to remember the napa part number for the round can coil...

Make sure your new side mount coil is installed correct polarity... ( neg goes to the distribuitor on your sidemount coil with a neg. grnd electrical system .. )

I'm sure others will chime in if I've left something out.

Soundguy

Thanks guys

Tim

My guess would be closer to low compression.. not low spark... spark won't know the difference between drag starting and starter spin starting.. except that you might get more rpms drag starting it.

-IF- you do have good spark.. fuel, etc...Try a compression check.

Have you tried choke while starting? the enriched mixture is a bit easier to fire up...

Soundguy

With that last bit of info about bypassing the resistor then it starts.. I'm leaning towards ignition like you originally brought up.

After you check to make sure points, plugs, wires, cap/rotor and ignition switch and all connections are good and clean/ tight.. check again to see if you are using the resistor under the dash.. that may be failing. if it is out of the loop. you may be suffering from a bad coil.. in that case.. might as well go to the 12v coil, and get rid of the ballast and dropping resistor... consider using that current limiter resistor idea that Dell mentions.

Good luck

Soundguy

Thanks again,
Tim