Coil confusion
Thread Starter
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
Coil confusion
I'm thinking of putting in a new coil on my '82 to give my car a little help during a start.
I've noticed that some of the catalogs have a separate part number for a '82 coil than the 81 and older.
My local parts store says that the 82 is the same coil as all the years.
The photo in the catalogs ARE different with the 82 having a metallic edging around the top of the coil bracket.
Who is right?
I've noticed that some of the catalogs have a separate part number for a '82 coil than the 81 and older.
My local parts store says that the 82 is the same coil as all the years.
The photo in the catalogs ARE different with the 82 having a metallic edging around the top of the coil bracket.
Who is right?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,753
From: Charlotte NC
Honestly I do not know if this is actually going to help you as much as you may think.
I DO KNOW...that inside your distributor cap you have a metal strap that is UNDER the coil. This strap goes to the CENTER terminal cavity in the cap where the TWO other wires coming off the coil go in.
AND....IF you replace the coil...and the coil you buy has been painted....you MUST scrape the paint off the UNDERSIDE of the coil that touches this strap...and ALSO the top corner where the black wires is attached....and MAKE SURE with an OHMMETER that you are making good contact.
I also might check your coil you have now and see if where the center pin goes in the cap..that the undersign of the coil where the spring of this pin contact touches is CLEAN!!! AND...that dielectric grease is applied to the rubber washer between the cap and coil also.
TO DATE...every coil I have pulled out of an HEI has had metal around the coil where the four screws go.
I will look in my GM parts manual and see if the coils are different...but as far as I know...they are all the same.
I believe I know what you mean about that edging...but I do not think that has anything to do with its performance....but I may be wrong. I do not think it is like a heat sink.
And I honestly wonder what you may see in a photo may NOT be on the part when you order it.
DUB
I DO KNOW...that inside your distributor cap you have a metal strap that is UNDER the coil. This strap goes to the CENTER terminal cavity in the cap where the TWO other wires coming off the coil go in.
AND....IF you replace the coil...and the coil you buy has been painted....you MUST scrape the paint off the UNDERSIDE of the coil that touches this strap...and ALSO the top corner where the black wires is attached....and MAKE SURE with an OHMMETER that you are making good contact.
I also might check your coil you have now and see if where the center pin goes in the cap..that the undersign of the coil where the spring of this pin contact touches is CLEAN!!! AND...that dielectric grease is applied to the rubber washer between the cap and coil also.
TO DATE...every coil I have pulled out of an HEI has had metal around the coil where the four screws go.
I will look in my GM parts manual and see if the coils are different...but as far as I know...they are all the same.
I believe I know what you mean about that edging...but I do not think that has anything to do with its performance....but I may be wrong. I do not think it is like a heat sink.
And I honestly wonder what you may see in a photo may NOT be on the part when you order it.
DUB
