Ignition coil

Electrical issues, both 12 volt and 120 volt
Post Reply
micabarry
Seasoned Traveler
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:44 pm
B190 Year: 1991
WBCCI: 0

Ignition coil

Post by micabarry »

I've replaced plugs, wires, rotor and cap on my 91 and noticed the terminal on the coil was quite corroded. It looks original so thinking of replacing that. Amazon has an MSD Street Fire replacement for $40 and it is suppose to deliver a hotter spark over stock. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or recommendations before I jump into this. Thanks!
User avatar
weekender
Seasoned Traveler
Posts: 162
Joined: Mon Aug 25, 2008 12:00 am
B190 Year: 1993
WBCCI: 0
Location: Northampton MA

Re: Inition coil

Post by weekender »

Replaced mine with an aftermarket part. Can't remember the brand, so can't speak about the brand you found. It failed the next year, back to a genuine Ford part (don't recall it being that expensive) -- been great so far. Mine would only fail driving in 80 plus degrees and when the engine and tranny were very warmed up.
micabarry
Seasoned Traveler
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:44 pm
B190 Year: 1991
WBCCI: 0

Re: Inition coil

Post by micabarry »

Thanks! That's helpful.
slapthecat
Seasoned Traveler
Posts: 130
Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2013 4:18 pm
B190 Year: 1990
WBCCI: 0

Re: Inition coil

Post by slapthecat »

I did plugs, cap, rotor myself a few years back. Then I read about the ignition coil. Every time Ive had the doghouse off, I forget to look into it! If you're still working on this, could you post a pic or two?!?!
User avatar
skater
Site Admin
Posts: 2569
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
B190 Year: 1991
WBCCI: 13270
Location: Annapolis, MD

Re: Inition coil

Post by skater »

slapthecat wrote:
Fri Apr 12, 2019 3:39 pm
I did plugs, cap, rotor myself a few years back. Then I read about the ignition coil. Every time Ive had the doghouse off, I forget to look into it! If you're still working on this, could you post a pic or two?!?!
I don't have a picture, but it's right inside the doghouse, driver's side, easy to access once the doghouse is off. Removing and reinstalling the doghouse takes longer than the actual coil replacement.
1991 Airstream B190 - bought, 2005; sold, 2011; bought 2017
1995 Airstream Excella 30' trailer

WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
micabarry
Seasoned Traveler
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:44 pm
B190 Year: 1991
WBCCI: 0

Re: Inition coil

Post by micabarry »

I am still working on it and will take a pic of the process in a few days. Looks easy, just have to decide which brand to buy.
micabarry
Seasoned Traveler
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:44 pm
B190 Year: 1991
WBCCI: 0

Re: Inition coil

Post by micabarry »

I finally got around to installing my coil. I decided to go with an original Ford Motorcraft since the original had lasted almost 30 years and the aftermarket reviews were up and down. Since I had bought a tach earlier I decided it would be a good time to hook that up a well since it uses the negative lead of the coil as a pickup. Easy to remove and install with a 1/2" wrench and rachet with 3" extension. Hope the pictures help.
Attachments
this shows the coil mounted on the bracket
this shows the coil mounted on the bracket
COIL MOUNTED.jpg (211.55 KiB) Viewed 11051 times
the negative wire is on the bottom. marked on the coil
the negative wire is on the bottom. marked on the coil
COIL PLUG.jpg (224.19 KiB) Viewed 11051 times
the mechanism in front of the coil moved out of the way
the mechanism in front of the coil moved out of the way
COIL REMOVED.jpg (237.56 KiB) Viewed 11051 times
micabarry
Seasoned Traveler
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:44 pm
B190 Year: 1991
WBCCI: 0

Re: Inition coil

Post by micabarry »

Since the tach uses the negative wire on the ignition I decided to install it while I had the coil out. I bought a Bosch Sport ii for about $50 I think and pleased how it all came out. Now to find out what Red Line is for a 460 and what the best power range is.
Attachments
TACH WIRE.jpg
TACH WIRE.jpg (234.17 KiB) Viewed 11051 times
TACH PICKUP WIRE.jpg
TACH PICKUP WIRE.jpg (243.32 KiB) Viewed 11051 times
I wasn't brave enough to drill through the steering column so I painted a hose clamp black and mounted it. Doesn't seem like it will fall off but time will tell.
I wasn't brave enough to drill through the steering column so I painted a hose clamp black and mounted it. Doesn't seem like it will fall off but time will tell.
TACH INSTALLED.jpg (258.47 KiB) Viewed 11051 times
micabarry
Seasoned Traveler
Posts: 103
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2014 1:44 pm
B190 Year: 1991
WBCCI: 0

Re: Inition coil

Post by micabarry »

Forgot to mention that I found a separated wire that attached to a radio capacitor I believe and is mounted on one of the coil posts(to ground). It was easy to solder a new wire on and splice it in.
Attachments
RADIO CAPACITOR.jpg
RADIO CAPACITOR.jpg (208.89 KiB) Viewed 11050 times
Post Reply