6 volt positive ground coil

[gary griffin]

I am looking for a serviceable 6 volt pre war coil, shielded style and positive ground.

I know 1942 was the last of them but I do not know what he first year was.   

garygriffin@Q.com

[Bill Ingler #7799]

Gary: You need a Delco-Remy 1115128 used from 1935 to 1942. Very hard to find new. Try some of the Cadillac salvage yards for a used coil. Now there is firm who makes new repo coils very similar looking to an original Delco. With a little sanding and painting on your part, would give you a coil for your car. Web site below.   Bill

http://www.mykmlifestyle.com/KM_Lifestyle_Mfg.html

[Steve Passmore]

I have a couple lying around.

[gary griffin]

Thanks Steve,

   Can you test them and what would your price be shipped to USA Zip 98023

   I was strongly figuring on what Bill Engler suggested in response to this post. Let me know ASAP as I already have the check in an envelope and ready to send out.

[Steve Passmore]

I'll connect one up to my coupe which is still on 6 volts tomorrow and see if they work.

[gary griffin]

Steve, I am assuming your coil is from a positive ground car?

[Bobby B]

Gary,
Hi. Bobby here…..Any coil works fine. As far as I know, there is no such thing as a positive ground coil. I've switched many English cars over years ago. Coil is a transformer with internal windings and sees no difference in polarity. Reverse electron flow will only cause a small reduction in spark. The car will still run. All you have to do is swap the wires and it'll be fine. Here's a nice article that will explain it better than I can.  I also have a brand new 6V coil in the wrapper if needed. I converted my car to 12V years ago.    Hope this Helps!
                                                                                                         Bobby
   http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig104.htm                                                                         

[gary griffin]

Bobby,  See Bill Englers post above. 1942 was the last year of positive ground for Cadillac and KM Lifestyles who is selling new ones specifically differentiates between positive ground and negative ground.  I have heard both sides of it and have had both. I recently sold my 1937 Lanchester and it was 12 volt positive ground.  I understand how a coil induces higher voltage but not why suppliers are so specific? If it does not matter why are coil terminals  marked with a + and a -  ??  I am being inquisitive here, not argumentative. I am not smart enough to argue this matter and I hate to argue anyway.

[Bobby B]

Gary,
Read the article. Very informative……
                                           Bobby

[Steve Passmore]

I agree with what Bobby said, just switch the terminals but I must confess I don't know how that works with the original coils on these cars that had one wire armored to the ignition switch?

Yes Gary, coils I have came from a 41 Cadillac.

[Steve Passmore]

Checked what I have Gary and I have one brand new one that I must keep for my coupe and one off an old 41 that did run on it but I don't know how well and its a little beat up for a restored car with some dents in the top.
Its free for just the shipping but I don't think it will suit a restored car as I said, unless you can do anything with it?

[Bill Ingler #7799]

Bobby: My electrical knowledge is not the greatest but here is my take on positive/ negative ground coils. Your statement that any coil will work fine by swapping wires is correct but the 1115128 is known as a positive ground coil and here is why. On Gary`s 42 car, a positive ground car, the positive battery cable is grounded to the frame, the negative cable from the battery goes to the solenoid, then its still negative to the ignition switch, negative to the coil, out the coil to the distributor from the positive post on the coil, ground continues through the distributor to the engine block, then positive ground through the frame, back to the positive ground cable into the battery and completing the circuit. With the armored cable and cap as used on early positive ground Cadillacs, the - connection of the coil was under the armored cap and the + positive was on the top of the coil. Now you can take a 1115380 six volt coil and mount it in place of the 1115128, hook the wires on the 1115380 for a positive ground system and everything works fine. So this is my explanation of why a 1115128 coil is called a positive ground coil as the coil is designed to be hooked up only as a positive ground coil using the cap/armored cable.  Bill 

[gary griffin]

Steve, If it works I would like to have it for a spare. Thanks for the generous offer.  How do I compensate you. I will order the KM Lifestyles today also, it has a plaque attached to it but but as Bill said a little filler, and sanding and painting and it will look correct and be new.  A working spare coil as a spare is not a bad thing but are you sure you do not want it for the same reason? Let me know.

[Steve Passmore]

No, I don't need it Gary. I have a spare for the only car I have still running on 6 volts so I won't use this one. Better send me your address and I'll see what the shipping is.