Coil adapter issue

B

Bob703

Junior Member
I purchased a 1937 Ford that had been converted to 12V and an alternator. The prior owner also added an electric fan. The car also came with a fan that appears to have been restored so it may not be original to the car. Since I didn't want the electric fan, I replaced it with the nice, restored fan.

Well, the fan blade hits the coil wire at the adapter which may be why the prior owner switched to the electric fan. Unfortunately, I cannot ask him directly. So, I have a couple of questions.

I measured the fan and its 16 inches. A friend has a 35 roadster and its fan measures 15 1/2 which may make all the difference. Will the earlier fan fit the hub on the 37?

I also came across an early coil adapter which is about a half inch lower than the one in my car (Dennis Carpenter). The early adapter was for a 6V system. Will that work in my 12v system?

My third choice is to cut down the fan. I would prefer getting a smaller one but it may be my only choice.

Thanks
 
Please post a pic of the fan you have and what is the length of the hub? The earlier fan ,33-36 has a 1" hub,37's are 2"
 
You could take an original Ford coil and send it to Skip Haney and he will rebuild it with new internals and 12 volt. Then run a stock fan.

Hopefully the prior owner didn't install an electric fan to mask a cooling problem.
 
I have a 1937 coup’e with a stock 37 engine and radiator. I am using a Bob Drake, or maybe a Dennis Carpenter, helmet distributor adaptor plate and an external Bosch blue/silver coil. I am using a Gates A51 HI-Power ll fan belt. This belt has 52.95” OD (1345mm) and it just gives me fan tip clearance under the radiator top tank and also the coil wire on top of the distributor adaptor plate. The fan is a 37-39 Standard model with about a 2” axial hub distance, between the fan generator mount plate and the fan blades.
 
37 Fan is 15 ,1/2 .it runs in front of the stock coil were 35 is 15 .3/4 it runs above the stock coil You will need to play with the belts as Ramjet suggested .The Coil adapter will take 6 or 12 v.The fan mounting size is same on both ,3, 7/8 ! Ted
 
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The high tension terminal of an adapter plate will still be functional with 12-volt if it was made for 6-volt. The only part of an ignition system that voltage matters with is just the coil. A 1.5 Ohm primary coil is usable on 6-volts. It requires a ballast resistor if used on 12-volts. Most modern can type coils for 12-volt systems have a 3-Ohm primary to use with no ballast.
 
I guess I'm just an old stick in the mud purist. When I look under a hood to see a coil adapter on a helmet distributor, it hurts my eyes and I just turn away.
 
ford38v8 said:
I guess I'm just an old stick in the mud purist. When I look under a hood to see a coil adapter on a helmet distributor, it hurts my eyes and I just turn away.
Click to expand...

I get it. I'd rather see a Ford coil on the distributor. If nothing else it just looks good.
 
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