MTFCA Forum

Has anyone here ever attempted to rebuild one of the newer reproduction plastic type coils? I have accumulated a few and wondering about the internal construction. After taking the back off one it is fully loaded with black pitch and I am unsure as to where to start digging and what to expect is different to the standard wooden coil layout? The capacitor reading is showing all are poor so they require new capacitors. Any comment ,advice or pictures appreciated.

Pretty much same lay-out except the capacitor is smaller and more modern.

Those plastic encased coils were built with short cylindrical capacitors that were mounted very close to the internal terminals compared to the Ford standard capacitor. The potting tar compared to Ford usage I could compare to being very dense and rubbery and does not chip out as easy. Care has to be taken to concentrate in that upper left quadrant to remove the faulty capacitor, to fit the new capacitor and just properly solder in place. I do have pictures , but having problems to post here at this time.

I find them easy to rebuild. In all the ones I've rebuilt so far the capacitor was the wrong value, and in some cases faulty anyway. The electrical characteristics differ slightly compared with the wooden coils, and on that basis wouldn't recommend mixing them with wooden coils.

JohnH ...... Good morning... Your comment about not mixing the plastic and wood coils , brought to mind A few years ago the importance of the ECCT system. Settng on the ECCT , Will assure consistent firing times for All four coils, Even with mix of plastic case or original style wood case KW style coils.

Thanks for the replies. Now I know exactly where to dig, it should be an easy upgrade.
All 4 caps were showing poor results and they would barely spark.
Recently I tuned up a set for a friend on my ECCT and all the caps passed with a perfect result. I suspect now they had previously been rebuilt.
I will proceed with the cap and point replacement of this set and see how it compares to doing a wooden set.

Years ago, I was told those coils were not made for continuous sparking.

They were just designed to light a kerosene or gas furnace and run for about 30 seconds on very few occassions.

I have no idea if that is true!

Chuck them.

Yeah James, Watchdog will take those rebuilt plastic case coils off your hands for a reduced price..... The plastic coils that I rebuilt and calibrated are still running in friend's Model t's with no problem....... Haven't burned out yet, and probably won't.