Thread: Coil problem - no spark??? HELP

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OK guys, I just mounted my ignition coil to my firewall. I have it "upside down" meaning the one large wire connecting to distributor is coming fromm the bottom.

Now trying to start deuce, no can do, we tested and found no spark when upside down, but spark OK when upright.

What the heck?

have you guys tried this or run into similar problem and any suggesitons? there are so many ugly wires connected to the terminals that I prefer that cluster of spagetties to be at the bottom, and the pretty slip on cover to show at the top. I believe I have seen deuces running similar set-ups... Why am I running into this problem?

FAITH

Be careful most coils are not designed to run upside down. If they can they are usually the potted type and not oil filled. Running oil filled usually results in a longer term fault but I could certainly see how the secondary could short out if not fully immersed in its oil bath. That's there for electrical insulation and thermal management.

I put my coil and ignition box inside the car. Glued wood up high inside the firewall to mount things. Only the large wire comes through the firewall.

Kitz

Any chance you have a loose wire and with the coil upside down the coil feed wire (from the ignition switch source) wire is pulled away from the terminal?

And when the coil is returned to upright the loose wire returns to the contact where - even though loose - it transmits electricity.

You could prove or disprove this theory by running a jumper wire from battery positive to coil positive (ignition switch side of the coil).

If things start working then you can check the wiring for problems.

I've seen coils mounted upside down now and then.
The owners didn't report any problems.

I also note that more than a few factory stock cars have the coils lying on their sides.

A coil should work in any position. Even if it is an oil filled coil, it will work in any position, but MAY eventually leak if ran upside down. I have to concur with C9X, if it works right side up but not when you turn it the other way, either you have a loose connection or an intermitant short inside the coil itself.----------Denny---she wanted a different answer

The coil position is fine, just turn the car over.......

Never seen a coil that wouldn't work in any position. Are you sure the coil was grounded well when it was inverted? Taking it off and reinstalling it the "right way up" could have made better connection.

I still think ya just need to turn the car over and leave the coil alone.....

coil on my '51 chevy is mounted upside down. oil filled I'd assume, this is stock

I like Dave's Idea too ......May I open Pandora's box? Put a mag on it. Hot firing, easy to set up, clean looking not to mention cool looking.

Originally Posted by brianrupnow

A coil should work in any position. Even if it is an oil filled coil, it will work in any position, but MAY eventually leak if ran upside down. I have to concur with C9X, if it works right side up but not when you turn it the other way, either you have a loose connection or an intermitant short inside the coil itself.----------Denny---she wanted a different answer

Not every coil is designed to operate in any position. Particularly true of high voltage coils. Very good. When you uncover part of the secondary (due to air inside depending on the make) it can short.

C9x, well Dr. Kitzmiller has seen 'em fail first hand. And laying on the side is usually OK as it does not tend to uncover the secondary. In this orientation any air is spread out real thin and usually won't uncover the secondary.

Of course one would always check for bad connections; this is assumed.

I agree with Dave.

Kitz

Originally Posted by nitrowarrior

I like Dave's Idea too ......May I open Pandora's box? Put a mag on it. Hot firing, easy to set up, clean looking not to mention cool looking.

There ya go!!!! Come to think of it, I have an old Joe Hunt modded Vertex mag and beeper box packed away in a box someplace----one of the few survivors from the sprint car days.....

Are you serious Denny?...I haven't thought about one of those in years (not to make any of us look "old"). I was thinking vertex though. Slim design, adaptation for her app. Worth a think over. By the way, how long have you had that CD unit?

Then on second thought, That would be kinda cool lookin' too.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

The coil position is fine, just turn the car over.......

.....Dave, my coil is mounted on it's side with the top of coil pointed towards the rear. So should I set my car on end with the grill shell pointed down??? And if I do this how will I get the car in the garage??? Thanks, Bill

Like I said in the Fibreglass Firewall thread......................."Ground the Friggin' coil...............