Technical What Coil for 8ba

Hi!
Ok, embarrassing. Was troubleshooting my wiring Sunday and after not finding the problem I accidentally left the ignition on burned up the coil. I was standing out there still and heard the popping and saw the smoke start pouring out. Disconnect everything quick (snips) l

so my question, does it matter what coil I buy? This one didn’t really have any markings. Just a black coil. Completely original engine, upgraded to 12v w 3 wire alternator (previous owner).

what do I check in the distributor other than filing the points.

thanks guys. And feel free to roast me if you want. Red

 

Roast you, like you roast coils?

 

Do you have a ballast resistor or not?

 

Per Bubba's (RIP) advice I run a Bosch blue coil on my 8ba converted to 12 volts with one of his Chevy distributors.

 

Just any 12 volt coil

 

Can't help you with HEI. Mine is a point unit.

 

How would I tell if it is a ballast resistor? Or HEI? My knowledge is 1 year if automotive 30some years ago and picking things up here and there. I’ve made a couple sets of custom plug wires, replaced the coils in two modern vehicles. but weirdly enough never seen inside a distributor cap.

red

 

Typical ballast resistor is a white ceramic rectangle, ~2"-3" long.

 

BOSCH Blue 12v Internal Restistor VW.

 

Oh, where in the wiring would the resistor show up? I have something on my fender that has 4 wires attached to it. But other than that I don’t think I have one.

 

The unit with the 4 wires on it is likely the starter solenoid. Ballast resistor is usually mounted on the firewall. Filing the points may not be enough, I would buy new ones
Good luck and keep us posted

 

Any universal 12 volt coil from your friendly neighborhood parts store. You can eliminate the ballast resistor by buying a coil with an internal resistor. With external resistor - hot wire from the ign switch goes on one end of the resistor and wire to the coil on the other end then to the distributor. Internal resistor - hot wire direct to the coil. On a 12 volt system, the hot wire goes to the + side of the coil. the distributor is the ground. ( - ) Post a picture here, please, so we can confirm.

 

Hi guys,

I have a wire from under the dash, I think wired to the starter button or maybe the fuse panel. Can’t remember even though I wired it. Then another wire goes from there to the bottom of the distributor. Looks like this

 

Regarding points I know I can find a video in replacing them but are they universal do I need to find a way to id the distributor

 

Shoot. Cool says “external resistor” but you all see how the wires are. Could there be a resistor somewhere in my new fuse panel (rebel 9+3 kit).

 

Not likely - Take a look at the picture in post #8 above. The resistor is a relatively large device and produces a lot of heat - hence the ceramic case around the resistive element.

Also - Take a good look at the condition of the points in the resistor - There is a strong chance that the contacts are burned.

Russ

 

I will look again but couldn’t find the resistor before. I swear guys. Can a system run without it?
I can’t figure out how to remove the rotor, which Napa suggested I replace. But I did get the point off. They say fd808ixv on em which I guess is a model. But to my untrained eye they look ok. They were burned together.
Sorry guys I do know someone local I can ask for help, but im trying to avoid my brother, it’s Our car, from knowing since it’s embarrassing

the rotor says fa67, I don’t mind spending the money If I should replace it too. But again, I couldn’t see a screw to remove it

 

The rotor should pull straight up and out.
You will have to set the points gap with feeler gauges, or use a dwell meter. Both ways require the specs needed to set and adjust.
Curious. What engine is it?

Also, if points and a coil, it should require a ballast resistor if 12 volts.

Well, assuming you have a 1.5 ohm coil.

 

Yes, the engine will run {for a while} with out a resistor {NOTE: We are still talking about an ignition coil with a "USE EXTERNAL RESISTOR" warning}. The "EXTERNAL RESISTOR" limits the current through the ignition points and the ignition coil. Without this resistor, both will burn up due to the high current {high current causes more heat}.

Russ

 

Look on the inside of the firewall in the passenger compartment for the resistor. It may be behind the dash somewhere.

 

Here we go. Searched high low and under the dash, here is all I saw and I’m not sure it was wired in before I started. Isn’t now and we’ve driven it maybe three hours total since so “shrug”.
I’ll buy anything I need asap though, show in the 18th and I’m super short in time to fix it. Or I won’t hear the end from my brother.

it’s the block above the one with four wires (can’t remember what that’s called). I’m also posting a pic I saw the other day of a brilliant idea. As a thank you for all your help. I’m planning on doing this after surgery recovery as a celebration. Gravy mmmmm good

red

 

That’s a voltage regulator, and snacks?

 

Yes, snacks! I would get so much more done if I had something like this in the garage.
So that’s a voltage regulator? Should I wire it in or get a new one? Which side goes to what?
Or should I just get a new coil that has it built in?

 

The voltage regulator is the box with all the wires. The ceramic thing above it with no wires is a ballast resistor. Wire from ignition switch to coil needs to be cut or replaced and go through the resistor before it gets to coil.

Or a coil with built in resistor.

Dave

 

I’ll go built in resistor then because then I can clean the firewall up a bit. I may have to order since my Napa doesn’t really carry much.

I’m on it guys!! Thank God for the HAMB

red

 

Heck, I totally missed the ballast resistor!

 

I run the Napa IC7 coil on all my 8ba 's resistor built in.

 

Ok they have that in stock. I gotta go to a different one for points and rotor.
Where do I get the specs for the gap?

 

Done guys! Thanks for all the help. Used the IC7 coil, new points at .015, new rotor. Short strips a few blocks away and back.

Red

 

I personally hate ballast resistors. They have their place for sure.

But internally regulated coils is where its at for me. 1 piece does the job of 2 pieces! Cleaner looking and easier to install.