The Ford Barn

oldmotorsguy · 01-28-2015, 01:33 PM

I just purchased a 1924 Ford Model T Touring, and it runs reasonably well. I took the coils out and immediately noticed that the bodies of the coils are plastic, rather than the wood that I have always seen before.

My coil guy says that they are not as good as wooden coils, as they peter out after driving all day, versus wood coils that will soldier on.

Additionally, he says that if a condensor needs replacing in these plastic coils, might as well throw the coil away, because it is impossible to replace the condensor, whereas you simply remove the wood panel on original coils and solder in a new capacitor.

Can anybody verify that this is all true about plastic coils? The ones I have now look pretty solid, and work fine.

Roger Byrne · 01-28-2015, 02:19 PM

I agree with what you have been told about those plastic coils. However, I'd suggest you just keep using them until you have a problem and have some spare rebuilt wood ones on hand for WHEN those plastic coils start giving you trouble.

Dick Webber · 02-04-2015, 12:12 AM

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I bought 4 plastic coils and used them for about 15 years. The car ran, and was sometimes hard to start. I replaced them with 4 wood coils rebuilt by Ron the Coil Man. Might be the best money I ever spent on the car. MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! Thanks, Ron

01-28-2015, 01:33 PM	#1
oldmotorsguy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Crossville, Tennessee Posts: 157	Plastic body coils inferior? I just purchased a 1924 Ford Model T Touring, and it runs reasonably well. I took the coils out and immediately noticed that the bodies of the coils are plastic, rather than the wood that I have always seen before. My coil guy says that they are not as good as wooden coils, as they peter out after driving all day, versus wood coils that will soldier on. Additionally, he says that if a condensor needs replacing in these plastic coils, might as well throw the coil away, because it is impossible to replace the condensor, whereas you simply remove the wood panel on original coils and solder in a new capacitor. Can anybody verify that this is all true about plastic coils? The ones I have now look pretty solid, and work fine.

01-28-2015, 02:19 PM	#2
Roger Byrne Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Racine, Minnesota Posts: 41	Re: Plastic body coils inferior? I agree with what you have been told about those plastic coils. However, I'd suggest you just keep using them until you have a problem and have some spare rebuilt wood ones on hand for WHEN those plastic coils start giving you trouble. __________________ Preserving Mechanical History for Future Generations since 1965

02-04-2015, 12:12 AM	#3
Dick Webber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bowling Green KY Posts: 337	Re: Plastic body coils inferior? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I bought 4 plastic coils and used them for about 15 years. The car ran, and was sometimes hard to start. I replaced them with 4 wood coils rebuilt by Ron the Coil Man. Might be the best money I ever spent on the car. MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE! Thanks, Ron