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RE: Starting to figure out the problem
By John - 07/31/2001 3:16:59 PM; IP 142.177.53.106
Only 4.5 Volts across the coil? Do you have 12 volts on the + side of the coil? Do you have good continuity from the distributor housing to the engine block? (good ground?) If "Yes" is the answer to both these questions, then you are dropping 7.5 volts across the points, which indicates poor point contact(continuity). If you are using a ballast resistor, some of this voltage is being dropped across it as well and it would seem to be a little high in ohmage, although this shouldn't cause damage to the points. One thing I didn't mention before is that with a dual point distributor, the dwell is increased to help saturate the coil which of course allows a maximum current accross the points which accelerates pitting, oxidation, burning, etc. This is worsened with a high current coil. I suspect your ballast resistor may be the wrong value. Call or e-mail MSD and ask what value ballast resistor you should be using with their coil. I use a general purpose "no-ballast resistor" coil, but am still having some of the same problems you are. I tried a Jacob's coil...engine would barely run....I suspect Jacob is "cure-all tonic" salesman with his patented "variable magnetic core" advertising. To summarize, I picked the Mallory coil because I wanted a dual point distributor in my 66 Cobra to keep it original in at least the type of ignition system. A points system can be very good. But I'll tell you,...the first chance I get to purchase a Ford Dual-Point...I'm buying it...and then all the original factory engineering parts that go with it. Oh..one more thought...you should be using either resistance plug wires or resistance plugs...the coil will have to put out a little more with copper wires and that power requirement will be felt back on the primary of the coil as a higher than normal current draw also..hmmm...I think...chuckle.
This thread, so far...
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Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7410&Reply=7410><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7410" onclick="return false;">Frying points</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Joshua Carroll, <i>07/30/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7410', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7410') }); </script>  Frying points -- Joshua Carroll, 07/30/2001
 The condenser is what saves points. -- Dave Shoe, 07/30/2001
 RE: Frying points -- Ross, 07/31/2001
 RE: Frying points -- John, 07/31/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7414&Reply=7410><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7414" onclick="return false;">Starting to figure out the problem</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Joshua Carroll, <i>07/31/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7414', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7414') }); </script>  Starting to figure out the problem -- Joshua Carroll, 07/31/2001
RE: Starting to figure out the problem -- John, 07/31/2001
Collapse <a href=../ForumFE/reply.aspx?ID=7417&Reply=7410><img src=../images/reply.png width=30 height=10></a>&nbsp;<a href="#" id="anchor7417" onclick="return false;">You've got the wrong ballast resistor.</a>&nbsp;-- <font color=#0000ff>Dave Shoe, <i>07/31/2001</i></font><script type="text/javascript"> new HelpBalloon({ dataURL: 'replyb.aspx?ID=7417', contentMargin: 60, icon: $('anchor7417') }); </script>  You've got the wrong ballast resistor. -- Dave Shoe, 07/31/2001
 RE: You've got the wrong ballast resistor. -- Barry B, 07/31/2001
 RE: You've got the wrong ballast resistor. -- John, 07/31/2001
 Ditch the points! -- Royce Peterson, 07/31/2001
 Agree with everything and appreciate the help! -- Joshua Carroll, 07/31/2001
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