Classic/Antique Car Repair/Ignition Coil specs

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Expert: - 5/28/2010


Question
My 1966 Olds Delta 88 has a coil with a small cylindrical attachment on it.  I'm assuming that's a ballast?   I was looking at coil specs:  Primary Resistance: 1.2 Ohms; Secondary Resistance: 8.9K Ohms; Turn Ratio 100:1; Maximum Voltage: 42,000v.  Several specs, I was wondering what I should be looking for to match the cars requirements? Are capacitor type coils okay to use on older points/dwell cars?

Answer
The small cylinder is a capacitor (condenser) with the purpose of eliminating ignition noise in the radio. You need a 12 volt coil that is designed to work with an external resistor. Geezer's Old Cars And Parts Emporium, geezer34nh@yahoo.com, has these new old stock coils for sale. I would not use the capacitor type coil.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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