Steve
I have some info from an old parts catalog that states the
following, in part:
"Incorrect coil polarity causes excess wear on the spark plug
electrode and distributor breaker points......A quick check for coil
polarity is, with the engine running, hold a WOOD ENCASED pencil point
between a detached ignition cable and a spark plug as indicated in Fig 17,
details of which show correct and incorrect spark flare"
plug pic "flare"-- pencil "lead" ==== wire end "this is correct"
plug pic ===== pencil "lead" -- 'flare"- wire end "this is wrong"
The above is a mailable translation, understandable I hope.
Coil labeling is often misunderstood and is particularly a problem
on cars whose ground may have been changed. Short term backwards wiring of
the coil causes little if any damage in my experience (points dizzies
only). If the car runs poorly, try reversing it.
HTH Peter C
--
At 07:04 AM 7/19/2000, Steve Reilly wrote:
>Randall,
>
>A few hours after posting the message, I thought the same thing - Perhaps
>the coil came from another car which had been positive ground, and thats
>why it had been hooked up that way. However, I also came across a message
>in the archives which the writer states
>
> "Checked a number of other 6s and sure enough they were backwards."
>
>http://www.listquest.com/lq/view.cgi?ln=triumphs&sp=11&q=coil+backwards&b=1&;
>s=1&o=0&ci=c070926209&mid=73712
>
>So if his observations are correct, than this is a common (minor?) mistake
>made when hooking up the coils. I've looked over the coil thoroughly, but
>have not seen any other idenifiying marks that would suggest it was meant
>for either Positive or Negative ground.
>
>
>Thanks for the Response,
>
>Steve Reilly
>69+70 GT6+'s
>
>
>At 10:07 PM 7/18/00 -0700, you wrote:
> >
> >Steve :
> >
> >Connecting the coil backwards will result in a somewhat weaker spark,
> >although I can't recall why offhand (it has to do with the polarity of
> >the spark, reverse polarity doesn't work as well). It will not damage
> >the coil, or any other part of the ignition system.
> >
> >It's actually possible that your old coil was correctly connected, and
> >that the "Dist" and "Batt" terminals were marked for a positive ground
> >car (like a stock TR3).
> >
> >Randall
> >
> >Steve Reilly wrote:
> >>
> >> Dear Listers:
> >>
> >> Approximately 2 weeks ago, I purchased another GT6+. First 3 times she
> >> started up first try, however next 2 times or so, it took 2-3 cranks.
> >> After that, It would not start at all, but would "stutter" a few times
> >> while cranking.
> >> After some quick diagnostics, I determined that the spark was too weak.
> >> I checked that all the connections were strong.
> >> After Replacing the coil with an extra one I had, I noticed that the
> >> terminals on the old one were reversed. Terminal marked "Dist" was
> >> connected to Ign 12V+, and "Batt" was connected to the Distributer. Coil
> >> was also hot but the engine had not been running, just cranked for 1
> minute
> >> or so in 2-3 Second trys with same rest periods in between.
> >>
> >> Anyway, with the new coil hooked up properly, She fired up 1st try as
>usual.
> >>
> >> So my question(s) are: Exactly what difference will there be hooking up
> >> the coil backwards? More importantly, will any other part of the
> ignition
> >> system be damaged or damaged quicker through reverse-hookup? Lastly,
> >> Would these starting symptoms be related to the reverse hookup of the
> coil,
> >> or is it more likely the coil just died anyway?
> >>
> >> I looked through the Listquest Archives first and found a bit of info on
> >> this subject, but not too much on the symptoms. Coil is Non-ballast.
> >
> >
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