Which Coil do I need with my Electronic Ignition?
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Senior User
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Which Coil do I need with my Electronic Ignition?
1949 F-1 flathead V8
*ETA: 12 volt system*
What coil resistance do I need?
I ordered a Pertronix ignition from Mac's a couple years ago. It was listed to work in my year flathead V8. I managed to lose the instructions and other relevant information, and now I don't know what coil to run with it.
It dropped in easily to the stock distributer and gives me a nice big blue spark but I have no idea if I'm running the right resistance and thought maybe I should quit before I cook something. I will not run a ballast resister, I just want to get the right coil and be done with it.
*ETA: 12 volt system*
What coil resistance do I need?
I ordered a Pertronix ignition from Mac's a couple years ago. It was listed to work in my year flathead V8. I managed to lose the instructions and other relevant information, and now I don't know what coil to run with it.
It dropped in easily to the stock distributer and gives me a nice big blue spark but I have no idea if I'm running the right resistance and thought maybe I should quit before I cook something. I will not run a ballast resister, I just want to get the right coil and be done with it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
The instructions are here but don't give any real guidance:
http://static.speedwaymotors.com/pdf/447-1144.pdf
I run an MSD electronic distributor and I had to pry it out of them that they recommend a coil with 0.7 to 1.4 ohms. They recommend their Flamethrower coil, which has a 0.7 ohm resistance. Not the same as a Pertronix, but similar. Flatheads just don't need (or benefit from) 40,000 volts!
http://static.speedwaymotors.com/pdf/447-1144.pdf
I run an MSD electronic distributor and I had to pry it out of them that they recommend a coil with 0.7 to 1.4 ohms. They recommend their Flamethrower coil, which has a 0.7 ohm resistance. Not the same as a Pertronix, but similar. Flatheads just don't need (or benefit from) 40,000 volts!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 103
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From: SoCal - LA Area
I also used coil 40011 on my positive ground stock 226, along with igniter kit 1266P6.
Pertronix has their instructions on the website, here's a P6 (6V Positive gnd) example http://pertronix.com/docs/instructio...ts/1244AP6.pdf with coil reccomendations at the end.
Pertronix has their instructions on the website, here's a P6 (6V Positive gnd) example http://pertronix.com/docs/instructio...ts/1244AP6.pdf with coil reccomendations at the end.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
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From: NM
I doubt it. Personally I'd aim for the high end of the resistances they list. At 12v, a 0.6 ohm coil could draw 20 amps! I don't know how they get away with 20 gauge wires for that. At 1.4 ohms, it drops below 10 amps. I just went to NAPA and bought a generic coil that was listed at (IIRC) 1.4 ohms.
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I asked the Local Auto Parts Retailer for a 12 volt coil in the 1.3-1.5 ohm range and they sent be home with general purpose coil.
Checked it with the ohm meter - 2.1 ohms. Haven't installed it yet, can most likely return it. Or should I throw it in and give it a try.
ETA: Cold coils can read a little higher resistance?
Checked it with the ohm meter - 2.1 ohms. Haven't installed it yet, can most likely return it. Or should I throw it in and give it a try.
ETA: Cold coils can read a little higher resistance?
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
If it doesn't work, it won't be returnable, and "could" damage the Pertronix
Take your ohmmeter with you to the store
Take your ohmmeter with you to the store
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That all sounds reasonable. I know the guys at the store and coil is still NIB so I'm sure they'll exchange it.
I'm researching coils trying to find out the formula for ohms vs application so I can at least have a little understanding what I'm doing.
I'm researching coils trying to find out the formula for ohms vs application so I can at least have a little understanding what I'm doing.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: Northville, MI
I did the same thing. It was a great improvement.
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