Ignition coil question.

Lager

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Jan 19, 2014
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Seems like I need a new ignition coil for my 89 3.0 that uses points in the dist.
My question is, the original coil says on it, External resistor required.
I have been able to find ignition coils at my local auto parts store that say this same thing, so Im they will work just fine.
But, I can also find some high performance coils that deliver some added punch to the spark which might be a good thing and the primary and secondary resistance is the same as my original. So, do you see any problems with me using the high performance coil even tho it does not specify the external resistor?
 

thumpar

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Jun 21, 2007
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Re: Ignition coil question.

How did you diagnose a bad coil? Coils are one of the most common parts replaced even when they are not bad when people are just throwing parts a problem.
 

Pete104

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1,439
Re: Ignition coil question.

How did you diagnose a bad coil? Coils are one of the most common parts replaced even when they are not bad when people are just throwing parts a problem.

+1

Why do you think you need another coil?
 

Bt Doctur

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Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,344
Re: Ignition coil question.

Dont know of any type of coil that will deliver"punch" to a motor.save your money ,standard coil will work just fine.
your coil says "use external resistor" newer ones dont because the resistor is "internal"
 

Lager

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Re: Ignition coil question.

Need another coil because when I removed the negative terminal nut, all the threads came with it. Now it will not tighten. The engine runs fine, just something else broke.:facepalm:
 

MikDee

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Jun 6, 2007
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4,745
Re: Ignition coil question.

Any good brand coil made for an external resistor will work fine. You will not gain much, if anything with a high power coil alone. If your whole ignition system were upgraded to high performance only, it might help some. Save your extra money for more important things.
 

Lager

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Re: Ignition coil question.

I wound up just buying another coil and now everything is working ok again.
I was considering buying a higher out put coil and adjusting the plug gap a little larger to take advantage of the additional output.
But, thought ,what was the point?
At east until I figure out how to put a supercharger on the 3.0.
 

thumpar

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Re: Ignition coil question.

If you are looking for that much more performance just sell the boat and get one with an engine that fits the power you are looking for. When I switched from points to the Pertronix setup I gained 200RPM and a little easier to start. No guarantees though.
 

Lager

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Re: Ignition coil question.

Thumpar, sell and buy. Whats the fun in that?;)
You are talking to a guy that built a low 9 second 1978 Ford Fairmont steet car that would pull the front tires 2 feet off the ground on a prepared 1/4 mile.
Yes, its a grandpa's car, anyone can build a Mustang to do that. But I made into into the Fast Ford and Super Ford magazines with that car.
I bought this 3.0 bowrider cause the wife told me I couldnt take the grandkids out on a bass boat. She didnt tell me I couldnt kick it up a notch.
 

thumpar

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Re: Ignition coil question.

Thumpar, sell and buy. Whats the fun in that?;)
You are talking to a guy that built a low 9 second 1978 Ford Fairmont steet car that would pull the front tires 2 feet off the ground on a prepared 1/4 mile.
Yes, its a grandpa's car, anyone can build a Mustang to do that. But I made into into the Fast Ford and Super Ford magazines with that car.
I bought this 3.0 bowrider cause the wife told me I couldnt take the grandkids out on a bass boat. She didnt tell me I couldnt kick it up a notch.
You may soon learn that auto and marine are 2 different worlds.
 

Lager

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Re: Ignition coil question.

Oh Yes, I agree with you completely on that.I learned many years ago building twin 502's for an off shore race boat.
I understand the load is much harder on a marine engine and Im not thinking about stupid manifold pressures. Just a lil nudge to get to me V6 outputs without the extra hull and engine weight.
Seems like your an educated person in the high performance world, whats your thought on a 5-6 lb boost and considering the CC design and the need of a time retard?
 
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thumpar

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Re: Ignition coil question.

There was actually a turbo kit made for these but there is a reason they are not found. To gain even a couple MPH you need a great increase in HP. To even notice a difference you will need at least 20-40HP and that might get you 1-2 MPH.
 

Lager

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Re: Ignition coil question.

Interesting, Thanks for your imput.
I have a new project.
Here is a question for you?
If, as you say a 40 hp increase will only net you 1-2 MPh. Why is it if you take off your 115 HP outboard and put on a 150 will you increase your speed by at least 20 mph. Thats a 40 increase with additional weight.
Im not arguing,Im asking.
Another thought, is the difference between the two due to hull design?
 

thumpar

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Re: Ignition coil question.

I am not an expert but think it has to do with torque vs. HP. Outboards usually run at higher RPMs than I/Os so we rely on torque and not the horse power. With an outboard boat you are also usually dealing with a lighter boat so a little increase makes a bigger difference.
 

Lager

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Re: Ignition coil question.

Good answers, I agree.
So Instead of the turbo someone came up with, which was doomed to fail from the start due to the nature of turbos needing high rpms to even start to become efficient.
A roots style supercharger mounted under the carb is 90 % efficient @ 10 % of its rpm.
This means full boost at just over idle greatly increasing torque just over idle rpm.This is something a turbo can never achieve and will boost torque and HP up to V-6 levels without the increased weight or hull size.
The super charger I have in mind is available at most salvage yards for about $200. Then all I have to do is build an adapter to mount it under the carb. Thats easy enough. Im good to go now, I have my next project.
 

thumpar

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Re: Ignition coil question.

The problem will be that the parts are not USCG approved. It is easy to make power on an engine but in marine you need to stay legal, bomb proof and keep the engine from ingesting water.
 

Maclin

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May 27, 2007
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Re: Ignition coil question.

...You are talking to a guy that built a low 9 second 1978 Ford Fairmont steet car that would pull the front tires 2 feet off the ground on a prepared 1/4 mile.

That was you? :)

Cool.

The power band needed in boats can mess with the best hot rodder's plans.

Getting a boat on plane is like the inverse of a tractor pull, say where the load is heaviest at the beginning as if the sled weight starts out at the front of the sled, then hangs there a bit then moves back and lightens the load (boat planes out) but never quite leaves the picture so to speak.
 

Lager

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Messages
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Re: Ignition coil question.

Maclin, your right. Thats why a roots style supercharger makes sense . It produces boost right off idle and I do realize that I need to keep RPM's down to allow the outdrive to live. Thats why you gear/prop it correctly. Im telling you, this could work.
This is easy peasy in my mind. I just need to prep to block correctly including the innerds to reduce blowby and strength.Believe my main concern is going to be detonation.
Just think, the torque of a V6, virtually no increase in hull weight, minimal cost= increased speed and stupidity to even think of it.But,I hate boxes and doing what everyone else does because thats no fun.
Thumpar, Im not real concerned about USCG. Who carries a portable dyno to check actual against CG plate? Not that Im saying Im actually going to do any of this? Added this just in case NSA is listening in.:faint2:
 

thumpar

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Re: Ignition coil question.

I am not worried about USCG power it is the safety stuff I am referring to. You will be putting everyone on the lake in danger if you don't pay attention to the USCG laws. Boats can go Kaboom with projects like this. Merc tried the power of a v6 in a l4 it was the 470. Neat little project. :facepalm: You also need a different ratio to make it work.
 
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