[ephillippe]

Greetings All,
Long time reader, first time poster. I just purchased a 1973 Manta, and I'm going to try and install an MSD 6A ignition control this weekend. I understand from previous posts that an internally regulated coil means that you can do away with the clear resistor wire and run a regular 14 guage wire in its place from the same spot on fuseblock.

My question concerns the other (black) wire connected to the positive on the coil. I know that this wire allows full 12v to the coil to assist in starting and then shuts off. Should this wire be taped off like the clear resistor wire?

Any help/suggestions would be great, Opeling wouldnt be possible without a site like this one!

Thanks, Evan

 

[GoldGT]

Does not matter, all that wire does is bypass the resistor wire during starting.
You can leave it connected, just so it does not become another loose wire hanging around.

 

[bear]

Jeff and Evan, just a bit of clarification here. The black wire comes from the starter solenoid to power the coil only during starting. The transparent coil is only hot when the ignition switch is in the on or engine running position. You need both wires for starting and running. HTH.

 

[ephillippe]

I thought that the resistor wire was only needed if the original (or any other non-internal resistor coil) was used?

 

[bear]

My mistook on that. I should have clarified a bit more. The wire from the solenoid puts system voltage to the coil during starting, normally a lot greater than the 6 volts the coil gets from the resistor wire. Normal input voltage for a coil is 6 volts, it is either externally or internally controlled by a "ballast resistor" as on GM or Chrysler vehicles or an internal resistor in the coil used by most Ford products. Some aftermarket coils are designed to operate at a continous 12 volts, so you need to know the capabilities of whichever coil you use. But going back to the original thread question, you need both wires connected to the coil, even though you have replaced or will replace the transparent resistor wire with a non resistor wire or the engine will not start. You gotta remember when you turn the key to the start position, the only circuit that is hot is the wire going to the solenoid to engage it and the battery/alternator circuits. HTH.

 

[ephillippe]

Awesome, now I think I'm clued in. Thanks for you help guys!