Ford 6v coils

36coupe

36coupe

Well-known member
I have a bunch of old coils and I was planning on sending one to skip to rebuild as a spare for my 38. I have a brown and a black one both ford script but different in appearance.
Which one should I rebuild?
 

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36coupe said:
I have a bunch of old coils and I was planning on sending one to skip to rebuild as a spare for my 38. I have a brown and a black one both ford script but different in appearance.
Which one should I rebuild?
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The black coil was produced solely for the use of the Detroit Transit System. Questions remain as to whether or not any were eventually "side tracked" and placed in to automotive usage. Thus far, I've not been able to find any documents that would prove that to be the case.
If authenticity matters to you, the brown coil is the way to go.

By the way, the black coil you have requires a unique condenser which are very difficult to procure. That may be a serious consideration when deciding to invest in its rebuild.
 
Here is another Two I have with old condensers still attached.
 

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Kube said:
The black coil was produced solely for the use of the Detroit Transit System. Questions remain as to whether or not any were eventually "side tracked" and placed in to automotive usage. Thus far, I've not been able to find any documents that would prove that to be the case.
If authenticity matters to you, the brown coil is the way to go.

By the way, the black coil you have requires a unique condenser which are very difficult to procure. That may be a serious consideration when deciding to invest in its rebuild.
Click to expand...

The black one might be a Canadian thing.
 
The brown one in post #5 does not have the Ford script, so is probanly after market. I think the brown look nice when combined with the brown end caps on the '37-'41 distributors. Not sure what the judges would say about that on the show field, but I could care less about that. Those black coils are interesting. Have not seen many of those. Not sure why it may use a different capacitor, unless it has a different type of mounting. I would definitely get them rewound using components with modern, high temperature rated insulations. Any of those original coils are subject to shorting windings/turns under heated conditions.
 
Which ever coil you rebuild make sure it fits your distributor first.There are three screw coils and later 2 screw coils.
 
JM 35 Sedan said:
The brown one in post #5 does not have the Ford script, so is probanly after market. I think the brown look nice when combined with the brown end caps on the '37-'41 distributors. Not sure what the judges would say about that on the show field, but I could care less about that. Those black coils are interesting. Have not seen many of those. Not sure why it may use a different capacitor, unless it has a different type of mounting. I would definitely get them rewound using components with modern, high temperature rated insulations. Any of those original coils are subject to shorting windings/turns under heated conditions.
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I have seen a couple of those condensors and wondered what they fit........pretty simple mounting....
 
Those black coils are interesting. Have not seen many of those. Not sure why it may use a different capacitor, unless it has a different type of mounting.

Exactly John...a different mounting.
I have a few of these coils with some NOS condensers. I have always wanted to use one as I like "different" on my restorations. However, "correct" and documented as such has always trumped "different". If and until I might find proof these were utilized in "normal" car production, they will remain in the drawer, unused.
 
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Kube said:
Did you happen to read post #4?
I was not making that up. The black one was made exclusively for the (properly) Detroit Street Railways.
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Yes I did read your post and I realize that you are well know for your quality restorations and knowledge.
I find it surprising that 2 I found in Nova Scotia at different times would be that far from home. I've seen a few black ones down this way at swaps and other peoples collections. I actual thought they where more popular than the brown ones.
 
36coupe said:
Yes I did read your post and I realize that you are well know for your quality restorations and knowledge.
I find it surprising that 2 I found in Nova Scotia at different times would be that far from home. I've seen a few black ones down this way at swaps and other peoples collections. I actual thought they where more popular than the brown ones.
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Please understand that Ford was to make 100 of these per day for the Detroit Street Railways for a total of nearly two years. Many of us who have studied these "goofy" little things believe there is no way Railways could have utilized that many of these coils. Thus, the theory is some of these must have gotten in to production or most likely yet, service parts.
As you no doubt realize that while many Ford parts were built in plants outside the USA, many domestic parts were shipped abroad as well. Very often the parts shipped for international consumption were "different" than the USA counter-part. by "different" I mean in design and / or quality level and / or obsolete (for USA), etc.
It does not appear that authenticity is a big concern for you. If I am correct I would suggest you get the brown coil rebuilt as proper condensers are readily available.
 
Kube said:
Please understand that Ford was to make 100 of these per day for the Detroit Street Railways for a total of nearly two years. Many of us who have studied these "goofy" little things believe there is no way Railways could have utilized that many of these coils. Thus, the theory is some of these must have gotten in to production or most likely yet, service parts.
As you no doubt realize that while many Ford parts were built in plants outside the USA, many domestic parts were shipped abroad as well. Very often the parts shipped for international consumption were "different" than the USA counter-part. by "different" I mean in design and / or quality level and / or obsolete (for USA), etc.
It does not appear that authenticity is a big concern for you. If I am correct I would suggest you get the brown coil rebuilt as proper condensers are readily available.
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Could the black case have more windings or be heavy duty someway?
Here is a close up of the aftermarket stamp.
 

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36coupe said:
Could the black case have more windings or be heavy duty someway?
Here is a close up of the aftermarket stamp.
Click to expand...
I think that is exactly the idea (design) with the black one - more windings. I am only guessing here but in 1942, Ford changed the coil design to look a lot like the black one you have AND they moved it away from the front of the engine. Why? My guess is Ford knew (finally figured out) that the location and design of the coils '37 through '41 was not real good. A larger coil (more windings) and moved away from a "heat sink" proved to be a much better design.
 
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