Which wire is which - to the coil?

When I took everything apart to install my new carbs and distributor, I carefully marked and labeled the wiring. Everything went back together just fine except for the wires to the coil. Seems the tape dried out and fell off. So, I thought I had a 50/50 shot and connected the wiring to the coil. It just would not start up.

I'm hoping that I didn't short out the Comp-u-Fire Electronic Ignition.

How can I determine which wires from the harness go to positive and negative on the coil?

I have a spare coil and another dizzy with a Pertronix unit in it but I'd like to get the wiring straightened out before I run the risk of ruining more parts.

The hot wire aka the one that comes on when you turn the key on goes to the plus side of the coil. the neg will run to the points and the points is ground.

Thanks. I'll throw a test light on 'em.

Those compufire units are very easy to destroy, IE: connecting posi-to-neg and neg-to-posi... hold your breath...

On a slightly more abstract note, you technically can run your coil backwards, though your engine will only run 40-60 percent of its regular capacity. So its not likely to start wired backwards. Most people wont believe ya when you say that, but its true.

Also make sure you hava a ballest or resitor wire if you coil is not a inter ballest coil.

AzBaja wrote:

Also make sure you hava a ballest or resitor wire if you coil is not a inter ballest coil.

OK. How can I tell which type I have?

you need an ohm meter.

www.ratwell.com/techni...eCoil.html

www.hot-spark.com/Inst...butors.htm

72.14.253.104/search?q...=clnk&cd=8

Thanks for the help. I do have a meter so I'll check the coil(s). From what I read on the links it looks like I may have fried the compufire. I'll get the right coil wired up properly and see if she'll start. If she doesn't, I suppose I could put the Pertronix unit back in and try again.

The original coil showed 3.5 ohms and the blue coil showed 3.8 so I just left the blue on one. I got the wires on properly, now, but it looks like I probably smoked the compufire. She still won't start.

I emailed Compufire to see if I can test the unit to make sure before I order another one.

I'm hoping the wife can give me a hand tomorrow, to turn the key, so I can check for spark and go from there. I have a remote starter switch but it's very old and tired and not very reliable. Sad

Could be too many years of use by my kids when they would get too lazy to change out an ignition switch.

Wait a minute. That sounds like a legitimate reason to buy a new tool!!! Very Happy

SandRacer wrote:

Wait a minute. That sounds like a legitimate reason to buy a new tool!!! Very Happy

Hey that sounds like me!! Very Happy

I got a reply from Comp-U-Fire about testing their unit.

Use a 12 volt testlight on the negative side of the coil crank the engine and the light should flash bright dim. If it does not then you probably fried the module.

I thought I'd share their response in case someone else may need to use it. I'm not sure if this same method would work to test other "points eliminators" like a Pertronix.

yes it wood. its basikly a on off switch for your coil. also you shood have a wire from your starter switch too your coil with out a rezister for the extra power on startup. good luck

Bump