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using a 6V coil with a 12V system

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Old Jun 23, 2005 | 12:17 AM
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using a 6V coil with a 12V system

Basicly, will it work? Are they the same coils? I (like an idiot..being cheap as usual) used the coil from my original 215 I-6 on my new 460 V-8. It has a problem while running....It has a mid RPM miss.....Once I get it to around 2000 RPM, it starts missing. I just rebuilt the carb, so I'm thinking this may be where the problem is at.

Has anyone else done this? (I doubt anyone else is as cheap as I am )
 
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Old Jun 23, 2005 | 09:17 AM
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Might not get the flame you need and will probably burn the coil out eventually.

I hope you are running a ceramic inline voltage resister between the ignition and the coil. It's likely the old coil was externally resisted rather than internally like the 'newer' trucks.

Check it with a multi-meter or other and see if you're dumping 6V into it. Also check to see how much voltage you have at the dist side of the coil. And when you switched to 12V, if you're now neg (-) ground be sure to turn the original coil around. Batt or (+) for the inbound lead and Grnd or (-) for the lead to the coil.
 
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Old Jun 23, 2005 | 06:48 PM
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Very Bad Idea.. the 6 volt coil cant handle the 12 volt system unless you have a voltage reducer inline for it.. It would be cheaper to go to napa for a ciol with a inturnel resistor.. The 6 Volt coil will heat up and break down after a few mins of running.. it will start to break down and miss fire intill it just wont fire at all any more...
 
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Old Jun 23, 2005 | 08:29 PM
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THANK YOU!!!!! I think the problem may be solved then! WOO HOOOOO again! I'll report back on Monday unless I put a new one on sooner.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2005 | 03:42 AM
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I was using my old 6v coil with my Y-block. It was also a positive ground coil too. It worked. I needed a ballast resistor in series with the 12v + lead to prevent overheating the coil.

I have since switched to a Pertronix ignition and Pertronix coil. No resistor needed with the new coil. The coil was only about $30. Not a very high price to pay to get an excellent ignition system.

Regards,

Rick



Originally Posted by 53wa2fl
Basicly, will it work? Are they the same coils? I (like an idiot..being cheap as usual) used the coil from my original 215 I-6 on my new 460 V-8. It has a problem while running....It has a mid RPM miss.....Once I get it to around 2000 RPM, it starts missing. I just rebuilt the carb, so I'm thinking this may be where the problem is at.

Has anyone else done this? (I doubt anyone else is as cheap as I am )
 
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Old Jun 24, 2005 | 09:28 AM
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k, I am also using the Pretronix system inside of the dizzy, but I am using the original 6 cyl coil. I have a ballast resistor, but I did not think to switch the coil polarity or anything. I am simply getting a different coil probably today.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2005 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by mtflat
Might not get the flame you need and will probably burn the coil out eventually.

I hope you are running a ceramic inline voltage resister between the ignition and the coil. It's likely the old coil was externally resisted rather than internally like the 'newer' trucks.

Check it with a multi-meter or other and see if you're dumping 6V into it. Also check to see how much voltage you have at the dist side of the coil. And when you switched to 12V, if you're now neg (-) ground be sure to turn the original coil around. Batt or (+) for the inbound lead and Grnd or (-) for the lead to the coil.
I can't believe I wrote that...........let me clarify:
When using neg grnd for your system run the wire off the ignition switch thru a ceramic resistor on the firewall to the positive post of the coil. The other post on the coil (-) goes to the distributor.

For the ignition resistor, I just go to NAPA and ask for one for an early 70's Chrysler product. Year and model of your choice - makes it easier for the goober with the computer screen to get what you need.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2005 | 10:40 PM
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Originally Posted by mtflat
makes it easier for the goober with the computer screen to get what you need.
Sooooo true...I go in and they always ask me what year, and type of vehicle is it? I tell em it's a custom application, and they tell me they HAVE to know the year and make of the vehicle....I tell them it's a 53 ford F-250, then they tell me Ford never made an F-250 in 53 plust their books dont go back that far...Then to add insult to injury, they tell me they dont think that Ford had the 460 in 1953 either.....I almost have to reach accross the counter and choke them!
 
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Old Jun 24, 2005 | 11:05 PM
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I understand that some Napa Stores actually still have books and know how to look stuff up. Not having a Napa near me, I just tell the "goober" behind the desk the year and make that he can look up and go from there. I have spent a lot of time recording the year of products in my truck for just that reason.
 
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Old Jun 24, 2005 | 11:18 PM
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Using 6v coils was an old hot-rodder trick - you get a hotter spark. But, yes, it will get hot expecially at lower speeds.
 
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