Coil Question

[7tooZ]

What are the symptoms of a Bad coil?

I am running a Fireball PS30 along with a Crane XR3000 and Crane points replacement.  

Edited July 4, 2021 by 7tooZ

[SteveJ]

The coil is a step-up transformer. It is composed primarily of wire, insulation, and material to help dissipate heat. If the insulation breaks down, you would see a weaker spark or no spark.

Are you having a problem with your car? If so describe when it started and under what conditions.

[7tooZ]

1 hour ago, SteveJ said:

The coil is a step-up transformer. It is composed primarily of wire, insulation, and material to help dissipate heat. If the insulation breaks down, you would see a weaker spark or no spark.

Are you having a problem with your car? If so describe when it started and under what conditions.

@SteveJ thanks for your reply. 

Yesterday I was a returning home a 30 mile drive at freeway speeds 70-75. Stopped for gas, fillup tank, started up and headed the 2 mi home. About 3 blks from home it simply died. Turned over but wouldnt start. By the time i went bank to get it couple hours +/- started and ran rough (like the plugs were fouled) for 10-15 sec and then was fine. Your rely kind of fit my thoughts of "heat related". That coil could be 15

[7tooZ]

1 hour ago, SteveJ said:

The coil is a step-up transformer. It is composed primarily of wire, insulation, and material to help dissipate heat. If the insulation breaks down, you would see a weaker spark or no spark.

Are you having a problem with your car? If so describe when it started and under what conditions.

@SteveJ thanks for your reply. 

Yesterday I was a returning home, a 30 mile drive at freeway speeds 70-75. Stopped for gas, fill-up tank, started up and headed the 2 mi home. About 3 blks from home it simply died. Turned over but wouldnt start. By the time i went back to get it (couple hours +/-) it started and ran rough (like the plugs were fouled) for 10-15 sec and then was fine. Your rely kind of fit my thoughts of "heat related". That coil could be 15+ years old.

[Zed Head]

Can't even find PS30 on the internet, only the PS20.

Here's the Crane instructions (covers both 700 and 3000).  The XR3000 is current-limiting.

https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/xr700 instructions.pdf

[7tooZ]

@Zed HeadYep I knew that. But thanks.

[SteveJ]

4 minutes ago, 7tooZ said:

@SteveJ thanks for your reply. 

Yesterday I was a returning home, a 30 mile drive at freeway speeds 70-75. Stopped for gas, fill-up tank, started up and headed the 2 mi home. About 3 blks from home it simply died. Turned over but wouldnt start. By the time i went back to get it (couple hours +/-) it started and ran rough (like the plugs were fouled) for 10-15 sec and then was fine. Your rely kind of fit my thoughts of "heat related". That coil could be 15+ years old.

Many coils are oil filled for the heat dissipation media. You may see residue around the center post of the coil. Some auto manufacturers did vertical mounting of the coil to reduce the chance of losing the oil. However, the oil will break down as it ages, providing less heat removal.

[7tooZ]

4 minutes ago, SteveJ said:

Many coils are oil filled for the heat dissipation media. You may see residue around the center post of the coil. Some auto manufacturers did vertical mounting of the coil to reduce the chance of losing the oil. However, the oil will break down as it ages, providing less heat removal.

Think pickup a new one just to be sure. I see Fireball must not be producing them any more. Any suggestions?

[SteveJ]

2 minutes ago, 7tooZ said:

Think pickup a new one just to be sure. I see Fireball must not be producing them any more. Any suggestions?

Are you still using the ballast resistor?

[7tooZ]

6 minutes ago, SteveJ said:

Are you still using the ballast resistor?

No

[SteveJ]

Pertronix Flamethrower 3.0 Ohm coil...You can get it in oil-filled or epoxy.

[7tooZ]

@SteveJthank you good info. Enjoy the 4th.