I have watched 4 videos with diagrams and 4 callable word now I come to this guy with a stupid block of wood and some screws wire and stuff and in about 1.5 min....... I am know a points genius! Thanks Malc I owe you a beer or 3!
I know my comment is late to the party by a couple years. But thank you for explaining it so clearly. I inherited an old Chrysler (I'm in the US) and most of the ignition system is either missing or needs to be replaced. Thank you this gives me hope that I can tackle this myself.
Thank you for finally explaining what was going on with points. I’ve messed with them for years not knowing exactly how they worked. I’m currently working on a 56 Oldsmobile that a puff of smoke came out near the ignition bits and wanted to know exactly how many wires I needed and where they should go. Someone rewired it a long time ago and every wire is black so again thank you.
Thank you so much for this easy explanation! I have a 1960 MGA I put a new distributor in, and forgot which side the condenser hooks to on the coil. A great help, thank you!
Thanks Lloyd. The other has helped a lot of people. However the explanation and camerawork are poor. So as I've still got this, a better camera and can do a better job, thought I'd better try to.
Nicely done you successfully explained to me how to wire my 1949 chevy pick up tomorrow hopefully i can fire her up it actually made me cringe to see how easy it really is. i knew it was wiring / not getting spark ive just never worked on a old car until today nd didn't want to burn anything or short it out thanks alot for the information im sure i can get her running in no time
put a turn signal flasher in place of the points. it makes a nice electric fence. with a single fence wire on some insulators until your battery runs down
I have a 53 ford.. wagon V8 the coil has an internal resistor I'm having problems starting it 1. What should go to the pos side of the coil? 2. There is a white exciter wire on top of the alternator..where does that go? Thank you
Thanks Clive. Old version has 100,000 views. Got some great comments, BUT a few have mentioned the poor camerawork, which it is, and of course in my waffle it's not dead clear.
The condenser does 2 things. It acts as a spark quench to stop the points burning and the second thing it does is helps the magnetic field collapse faster which gives a crisp clean spark. Old mates video and explanation is absolutely 💯 correct. The only thing I would question is his coil. If you are working on an older English type car then your ignition system is +ve ground. Lucas coils were wound for positive ground. That also gave the auto transformer action which improved the spark. In a nutshell everything must line up. +ve ground battery. Generator polarised to +ve ground. Coil is wound for positive ground, (negative spark)and wired as follows. SW to battery. CB (contact breaker) to side of distributor. Ask questions if this helps. 50 years doing this.
Great video, I just have one question that you brushed past, if I understood you right then the spark plug sparks from the coils magnetic field collapse is that right? Or did I miss understand what you said? Thanks
You've got it. Remember simple electricity and magnetism. When a conductor passes through a magnetic field, it generates an EMF (voltage) Likewise if you pass electricity though a conductor you create a magnetic field. So 12 volts is passed through the large windings. It is switched off by the points. So the magnetic field collapses, passing through the small winding, of which there are many off them. So high voltage at low current is generated, enabling it to jump the spark plug gap.
MalcOfLincoln you are right about that, I went to a versatile 400 swather two years ago that had a ford straight 6 300 with points and well I had to call my dad for information on how to work on it cause I had no clue lol
Where is the starter motor in all of this? I feel like the negative from the battery would go down to the starter and then on the positive end is Where I Need to Know what goes where to the starter motor.
Shit, I legitimately thought I was fluent in English as a French native but to be honest I can't get anything of this strong English accent contrary to American accent.
Unique problem. If the car is converted from 6v to 12v, do wires from the carb need to switch posts? Here's the details: p15-d24.com/topic/52547-ignition-coil-wiring-question-w-diagrams/
Excellent 😊😊👍 Was considering doing a demo with the Lister.....still might sometime. Now, thinking caps on, need a very simple dyno to see how much power the Lister has now. Doesn't have to be too accurate. So, 750watts is 1HP. But is this at 12 volts? If I get 1000w combined bulbs, switch them on with the alternator and the battery, surely when the batter is drained enough they'll be running on the alternator. Can't charge the batter and run the bulbs.
750w/14volts=53.5 Amps ! One H7or H4 = +/- 4Amps or 55w ! You need 14 bulbs for a 750w load ! Or 18 blubs for a 1000w load ! I'm looking forward to that dyno test !!!
@@MrTwisted1977 If you wire a 6 volt coil to a 12 volt system it will burn out. But when starting the battery voltage drops. Sometimes, especially in cold weather to 6 or 8 volts, which is not enough to produce a spark. So to aid starting, some manufacturers fitted a 6 volt coil, wired direct for starting, but through a resistor for running.
@@MalcOfLincoln it seems to me that based on ur video the coil is acting like a step up transformer if this is the case why call it a coil and not a transformer
@@MrTwisted1977 That's exactly what it is. Always known it as a coil, never thought about why it's called that. Probably because when cars were first made.
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I have watched 4 videos with diagrams and 4 callable word now I come to this guy with a stupid block of wood and some screws wire and stuff and in about 1.5 min....... I am know a points genius! Thanks Malc I owe you a beer or 3!
Thank you, much appreciated.
1min and 30 seconds and all my questions were answered
God bless
I know my comment is late to the party by a couple years. But thank you for explaining it so clearly. I inherited an old Chrysler (I'm in the US) and most of the ignition system is either missing or needs to be replaced. Thank you this gives me hope that I can tackle this myself.
Thank you for finally explaining what was going on with points. I’ve messed with them for years not knowing exactly how they worked. I’m currently working on a 56 Oldsmobile that a puff of smoke came out near the ignition bits and wanted to know exactly how many wires I needed and where they should go. Someone rewired it a long time ago and every wire is black so again thank you.
Mine is on a stand and I seen the puff of smoke come from the distributor as well, oops 😬... hope this video gets me squared away
Nice clear explanation Malc... Explains something that I've never actually fully understood. Many thanks
Thanks. Old one is my personal most successful video, just not well done so tried to do a bit better with this.
Thank you so much for this easy explanation! I have a 1960 MGA I put a new distributor in, and forgot which side the condenser hooks to on the coil. A great help, thank you!
Great video. Exactly what I was looking for; the wiring and flow explanation. Very Good content.
One of the best explanations ever. Thanks!!!
Nice explanation Malc, that should make it clear and easy to understand.
Thanks Lloyd. The other has helped a lot of people. However the explanation and camerawork are poor. So as I've still got this, a better camera and can do a better job, thought I'd better try to.
Nicely done you successfully explained to me how to wire my 1949 chevy pick up tomorrow hopefully i can fire her up it actually made me cringe to see how easy it really is. i knew it was wiring / not getting spark ive just never worked on a old car until today nd didn't want to burn anything or short it out thanks alot for the information im sure i can get her running in no time
Thank you. Pleased it has helped.
Love how he used a fan switch or turn signal switch from a Austin Healey Sprite or mg midget or from a Triumph MG Austin type car
That's an awesome clear example! Thank you for the help! Greatly appreciated!
Good information. Thanks for posting. 👍
Good for folk going from electronic ignition back to fitting points etc. Thanks.
Very very well explained! Made me understand this system a lot better!
Thank you Erik.....that is much appreciated 👍
Fantastic video. Very handy. Told me all I need to know. Thank you
Entertaining as well as educational, well done
Thank you. Think I did a better job this time.
put a turn signal flasher in place of the points. it makes a nice electric fence. with a single fence wire on some insulators until your battery runs down
Nice and simple, No computers needed in this system malc lol
Exactly. Cheers Martin.
Really helpful. Will be doing this to my gs500 motorcycle.
I have a 53 ford.. wagon V8 the coil has an internal resistor I'm having problems starting it
1. What should go to the pos side of the coil?
2. There is a white exciter wire on top of the alternator..where does that go?
Thank you
Nice and clear Malc and hopefully helpful to one or two of the younger banger and stock car lads.
Thanks Clive. Old version has 100,000 views. Got some great comments, BUT a few have mentioned the poor camerawork, which it is, and of course in my waffle it's not dead clear.
A60 is positive earth isn’t it? Maybe explain this as there will be plenty of people building these?
Thank you mate, perfect video! Your a legend, much appreciated
best video ever so simple explained
Thank you very much Andrew. So pleased you found it helpful 😊
I take it that you are using a balast coil otherwise you would need a resistor. Am I right or wrong?
very clear thanks, just one question. How do know which of the terminals on the coil are positive and negative? if they are not labeled?
If they are not labelled the coil must be insulated from the case. So it does not matter.
Great video mate why can't they make new cars systems like that!! You always need a bloody diagnostic tool these days!! Lol
Thanks Kingzie. Why do they make new cars as they do. So when they go wrong they're scrap and you buy another.
Can I do this on a BSA bike please I need your advice.
That is an excellent explanation!...thank you very much!
Top Man !! Brilliant and Simple demonstration 👌
Thank you. Much appreciated.
Awesome explainer video, most appreciated :)
Why does the negative go to the same post on the switch as the positive on the coil?
I’m trying to wire this to my mk2 mx5 in the boot for a spark plug in the exhaust but can’t get it to turn on
Would this same system work with a pointless distributor? On the hunt for vast knowledge on ignition systems.
I've learned a lot in the last 8 months. Yeah it'll work
As clear as mud on a muddy day
Does the condenser make a bigger or smaller spark?
The condenser does 2 things. It acts as a spark quench to stop the points burning and the second thing it does is helps the magnetic field collapse faster which gives a crisp clean spark. Old mates video and explanation is absolutely 💯 correct. The only thing I would question is his coil. If you are working on an older English type car then your ignition system is +ve ground. Lucas coils were wound for positive ground. That also gave the auto transformer action which improved the spark. In a nutshell everything must line up. +ve ground battery. Generator polarised to +ve ground. Coil is wound for positive ground, (negative spark)and wired as follows. SW to battery. CB (contact breaker) to side of distributor. Ask questions if this helps. 50 years doing this.
outstandingly simple,thanks much
R u showing 6v or 12v system points can’t handle 12 v with out resister
Sorry Debra, they can. Most 60s cars were 12v without a resister. I had several.
Hi, Malc! I'm a writer and want to know how thieves hotwired cars in the 30's (USA). Any leads?
Great video, I just have one question that you brushed past, if I understood you right then the spark plug sparks from the coils magnetic field collapse is that right? Or did I miss understand what you said? Thanks
You've got it. Remember simple electricity and magnetism. When a conductor passes through a magnetic field, it generates an EMF (voltage) Likewise if you pass electricity though a conductor you create a magnetic field. So 12 volts is passed through the large windings. It is switched off by the points. So the magnetic field collapses, passing through the small winding, of which there are many off them. So high voltage at low current is generated, enabling it to jump the spark plug gap.
MalcOfLincoln perfect thank you very much I haven’t worked with spark ignition much but I have wondered about it,
You're welcome of course. This is exactly why I made the video. So many today have never known coil and points.
MalcOfLincoln you are right about that, I went to a versatile 400 swather two years ago that had a ford straight 6 300 with points and well I had to call my dad for information on how to work on it cause I had no clue lol
Don't worry about it being long if someone wants to learn they will watch I rewired an entire car with this and a few other videos
Where is the starter motor in all of this? I feel like the negative from the battery would go down to the starter and then on the positive end is Where I Need to Know what goes where to the starter motor.
The good old day Ehh!!! Before Crank Position sensors, ECU's and coil packs mate.
Exactly Andy. They're a manufacturers dream, customers nightmare.
Yes it was very helpful thank you very much
Please share the circuit picture.
Thats a clear explanation int it malc.
Cheers Pete 😊😊👍
Great video thank you
made it simple and clear
Beautiful knowledge to have
Thank you.
Shit, I legitimately thought I was fluent in English as a French native but to be honest I can't get anything of this strong English accent contrary to American accent.
That's one is really cool thanks again
Thanks, you're welcome.
Good job.
Can you sell me a set up like this for my v8 please
Thank you Malcolm
Unique problem. If the car is converted from 6v to 12v, do wires from the carb need to switch posts? Here's the details: p15-d24.com/topic/52547-ignition-coil-wiring-question-w-diagrams/
Nice. Thank you !!!!!
Switch power to sw on coil, but why? Coil is simply a coil.
right on Malc !
Cheers Shawn 😊😊👍
Thanks, very helpful
Thank you
Right to the point!
Thanks Jim......
I love it !
Excellent 😊😊👍 Was considering doing a demo with the Lister.....still might sometime.
Now, thinking caps on, need a very simple dyno to see how much power the Lister has now. Doesn't have to be too accurate. So, 750watts is 1HP. But is this at 12 volts? If I get 1000w combined bulbs, switch them on with the alternator and the battery, surely when the batter is drained enough they'll be running on the alternator. Can't charge the batter and run the bulbs.
750w/14volts=53.5 Amps ! One H7or H4 = +/- 4Amps or 55w ! You need 14 bulbs for a 750w load ! Or 18 blubs for a 1000w load ! I'm looking forward to that dyno test !!!
@@massimobroccoli9854 Cheers mate, I'll start collecting bulbs. It's just a fun test, nothing serious....however a hint at reality eh!
HaHaahahaaa ! your using a Lucas switch ! Dim, Flicker, Off ! Sorry, I'm a Triumph Chopper Guy.
Is this how the early datsuns of the 70s were wired
If it has a coil and distributor with points, then yes it will be like this.
@@MalcOfLincoln why bother with a ballast resistor why not wire it direct
@@MrTwisted1977 If you wire a 6 volt coil to a 12 volt system it will burn out. But when starting the battery voltage drops. Sometimes, especially in cold weather to 6 or 8 volts, which is not enough to produce a spark. So to aid starting, some manufacturers fitted a 6 volt coil, wired direct for starting, but through a resistor for running.
@@MalcOfLincoln it seems to me that based on ur video the coil is acting like a step up transformer if this is the case why call it a coil and not a transformer
@@MrTwisted1977 That's exactly what it is. Always known it as a coil, never thought about why it's called that. Probably because when cars were first made.