so i was driving to work today (Fort Lewis). i live 25 miles away. my truck was driving GREAT the whole way. i was about 4 blocks from my company and the truck just died. well i tried to get a jump, that didnt work. after i got a tow to my company parking lot i started working on it.

well after a few checks i tested the coil, nothing was happening. its about a month old. i still had the original coil that is about 25 years old in the truck so i put it on and it fired right up.

my question is, do coils go out often? i dont have a voltmeter yet to see if for some reason my system is putting to put power to the coil. anyone have any input i would appreciate it. thanks.

 

Don't know how to answer your question, but I just wanted to share my coil with you.

I replaced this today...look at the post. Literally, almost half of the post is burnt off. I replaced it with a MSD Street Fire coil, and added a set of Taylor Spiral-Pro wires.

Needless to say, it runs just a little bit better.

I guess they go bad just like anything else. Nothing lasts forever, right?

 

I think if you go with a modern coil then its best to use something like ACCELL or MSD. However, the best option that I am looking at is going with an HEI dizzy which from my understanding is like $200-$300 bucks but with that you don't need a coil, ds2 box etc. Which may be a very awesome thing indeed.

 

the coil i had on and went bad was an Accell. i still have another one but im going to hold off and see if the one thats on the truck now goes out. i was just curious if this has happened to anyone else. just seems weird a performance coil would die so quickly and the 25 year old coil that looks like it has an inch of rust around it is still running strong lol.

 

Hahah that is largely the problem. Higher performance=less longevity. Generally speaking of course. I'm running an Accel myself no problems but I plan to go HEI as I am buying a Holley Truck Avenger EFI setup.

 

I got the Accel ignition module and the matching coil. The ignition module didn't make it to 500 miles before it quit. I replace it with a motorcraft replacement I got a few years ago and went ahead and got a new motorcraft coil since the last coil (an MSD coil) died taking the module and stator with it...

 

Sc, your MSD went out too thats wild? Side note, i noted your rig has 230k miles did you do an engine flush any time in there? I figured it may have contributed to the longevity.

 

hmmm.... well the spare Accel coil i have now came off my 81 f100 with a 302. and i ran great for years. oh well, it doesnt really matter to me if i used a high performance one or not. all i want is the truck to run great and not break down on me again lol.

 

Never once did an engine flush... Just very religious with the oil changes, every 3,000. It has had Mobil 1 in it since my dad got it in 1985. And, of course, never abusing it...

I am running 20% MMO in it right now to clean any oil residue over the last 25+ years...

 

I flushed two engines during my lifetime and within a month both had a rod bearing go out. I don't know if it was just a coincidence or what but I will never try it again. I believe if you keep your oil clean you don't need to flush an engine.

 

I would suspect because they were so sludged up that the cleaner knocked it all and it clogged the pickup thus running the motor with limited or no oil.

 

HEI distributors have a coil and ignition module inside the cap. All the same components as the DSII.

 

Not a truck engine, but about 20 years ago I borrowed my dad's old roto-tiller with a 5 horse Tecumseh. Dad was never one to do any maint. so when I checked the oil level it was "blacker than your hat". So I thought I would do ol' dad, a big favor and clean it up for him. I drained the old oil out and then poured in new oil and let it flush thru untill it came out clean. I then filled it up and headed for the garden. About 20 mins. later it put a rod thru the case! Dad reminded me of that for a long time!
I would agree that the best course of action is to keep an engine clean with regular oil changes and not try to make up for things by flushing.

 

Yep. Exactly right.