Coil...why is it there?

[Chas]

Im asking for laymans terms , if someone could brief me on the workings of it and what it does....then im asking why on earth a Accel super coil i bought for alot of money started leaking oil and is toast...stranding me for an hourad , while Theresa brought my old Delco coil and fired it back up no problem....is it something deeper than the thing being yellow fluff and a p.o.s. or is something wrong with my system? thanks for the schooling here...
Chas

 

[DDLS3]

In very basic terms, the coil is a transformer that converts 12vdc to 45,000-50,000 vdc so that a high voltage arc will occur across the gap on your spark plugs. 12 vdc would not arc across the gap The oil leak, (oil is insulation), allowed a short to occur in the windings.........result "toast"

 

[Chas]

Thanks....

I was told long ago to stick to AC Delco when it came to ignition stuff....i put this p.o.s. in her for show.....Thanks for the reply...
Chas

In very basic terms, the coil is a transformer that converts 12vdc to 45,000-50,000 vdc so that a high voltage arc will occur across the gap on your spark plugs. 12 vdc would not arc across the gap The oil leak, (oil is insulation), allowed a short to occur in the windings.........result "toast"

 

[DDLS3]

Chas

For what ever reason, there must have been a defect, or damage that occured to your Accel Super HEI coil. I have had one in my 81 since 2000 with no problems. Accel is well know in the high performance world, while it may not be the most expensive, it sure isn't junk. The Accel Super HEI has about 10,000 volts over stock GM if I remember correctly.

 

[Chas]

i am guessing defect...planning on sending it to them....just was one of them days i guess.chas

Chas

For what ever reason, there must have been a defect, or damage that occured to your Accel Super HEI coil. I have had one in my 81 since 2000 with no problems. Accel is well know in the high performance world, while it may not be the most expensive, it sure isn't junk. The Accel Super HEI has about 10,000 volts over stock GM if I remember correctly.

 

[Jack]

Since yours is 73 with points ... assume Accel SC was large, heavy yellow plastic-like housing with fins and tan plastic-like top (P/N 140001) that cannot fit inside HEI cap. Just a guess since I dunno HOW ACCEL WAS MOUNTED. But if it is not mounted vertically (primary lead studs and hi-tension tower pointed to the sky) ... it will burn up ... because the oil inside cannot cover the coil windings and cool them by transferring away heat.

P/N 140001 is a very good coil ... albeit very heavy and difficult to locate vertically under C3 hood ... per cooling issues, it is not designed to operate at less than vertical for more than a few minutes at a time. BTW, an MSD Blaster "High Vibration" coil P/N 8222 is epoxy filled and can be oriented any way ... very high output ... and looks similar to your OE Delco "canister type" points coil. FYI, most canister coils are oil filled and need a vertical or near-vertical mount (per slight angle mount at OE intake manifold). If you want an aggressive-looking coil that performs well at any angle ... consider MSD Blaster SS P/N 8207 or MSD HVC P/N 8252. I run the Hi-Vibe in the circle track car but I don't really care how it looks.
JACK:gap
*ps... Some Blaster coils are Oil filled ... P/Ns 8200, 8202, 8203, 8205, and 8223 are Oil filled and should be oriented accordingly.

 

[maxrevs85]

Ive used the MSD blaster coils in my race cars for years and we turned then at 8200, twice per lap, never a problem and heat doesnt effect them . AND you can mount them any which way you want. And they are not expensive .AND they are not big. AND....like the phone commercial.. :L

 

[Evolution1980]

I have a Jacobs. Many of my friends have Jacobs. Never had a problem with 'em. I've always preferred Jacobs over Accel or MSD, but it's mostly just preference. Unfortunately for you, Jacobs doesn't come in yellow...

 

[Chas]

no points, converted original distributor to electronic...and it was mounted vertical in the factory holder.it didnt have fins...looked like a yellow factory coil...round and the same size as it.
Chas

Since yours is 73 with points ... assume Accel SC was large, heavy yellow plastic-like housing with fins and tan plastic-like top (P/N 140001) that cannot fit inside HEI cap. Just a guess since I dunno HOW ACCEL WAS MOUNTED. But if it is not mounted vertically (primary lead studs and hi-tension tower pointed to the sky) ... it will burn up ... because the oil inside cannot cover the coil windings and cool them by transferring away heat.

P/N 140001 is a very good coil ... albeit very heavy and difficult to locate vertically under C3 hood ... per cooling issues, it is not designed to operate at less than vertical for more than a few minutes at a time. BTW, an MSD Blaster "High Vibration" coil P/N 8222 is epoxy filled and can be oriented any way ... very high output ... and looks similar to your OE Delco "canister type" points coil. FYI, most canister coils are oil filled and need a vertical or near-vertical mount (per slight angle mount at OE intake manifold). If you want an aggressive-looking coil that performs well at any angle ... consider MSD Blaster SS P/N 8207 or MSD HVC P/N 8252. I run the Hi-Vibe in the circle track car but I don't really care how it looks.
JACK:gap
*ps... Some Blaster coils are Oil filled ... P/Ns 8200, 8202, 8203, 8205, and 8223 are Oil filled and should be oriented accordingly.

 

[Jack]

The yellow canister Accel is not a "super coil" ... sounds like one of their "super stock street coils" ... And it ain't the greatest. Eons ago I had one on a 6 volt beetlebug ... mine worked OK. On yours I wonder if there may've been a voltage mismatch at the coil ... or if electronic conversion may've specified a certain voltage to coil? Otherwise, you should not have experienced those problems ... and I'd return it. Again, the MSD Hi-Vibe 8222 is a good one ... and I suggest ANY coil will perform more efficiently if not sitting directly atop a hot intake manifold.
JACK:gap

 

[Chas]

my typo error....

its a super street....it aint the greatest...its in the trash...i am going to look for a way to get the new delco on the firewall...thanks for the tip.Chas

The yellow canister Accel is not a "super coil" ... sounds like one of their "super stock street coils" ... And it ain't the greatest. Eons ago I had one on a 6 volt beetlebug ... mine worked OK. On yours I wonder if there may've been a voltage mismatch at the coil ... or if electronic conversion may've specified a certain voltage to coil? Otherwise, you should not have experienced those problems ... and I'd return it. Again, the MSD Hi-Vibe 8222 is a good one ... and I suggest ANY coil will perform more efficiently if not sitting directly atop a hot intake manifold.
JACK:gap