6 volt coil question

[wolc123]

Would a 1951 Ford 8n and a 1956 Farmall Cub both use the same part number NAPA coil ?

 

[JJT]

I've successfully swapped a 6 volt coil between a model A car and a 9N tractor. I'd give it a try.

 

[Roadworthy]

If it fits in the mount try it, it will probably work fine. Both are pretty simple tractors.

 

[LouNY]

I believe that both of those would have been 6 volt positive ground systems, so yes the same coil should work in either.

 

[wolc123]

If it fits in the mount try it, it will probably work fine. Both are pretty simple tractors.

I bought one for my 8n last fall, at a NAPA way out in the country. They probably sell more for tractors than they do for cars at that store. The guy at the counter didn’t even look at the computer to find it.

I went to the closest one back home today, and they only carried one 6 volt coil. It’s the same part number as the one I got at the other store. Now I have two in my parts cabinet at home.

They both look like they will fit the 8n, no problem, so worst case, I’ll have a spare for that. It might be a challenge fitting one of them on the Cub though. The original looks a little smaller, it’s mounted sideways, and it looks like at least one of the wires connects at the opposite end.

If it warms up a bit this weekend, I might try to get one of them swapped out on the Cub. I’m not sure the coil is the problem but maybe I can rig up some jumper wires, if need be, and at least prove that is the issue, before forking over big bucks for a “proper” replacement.

My previous Cub had been very heavily modified over the years and I would like to keep this one as original as possible. The hood on my old one had been torched up to make room for a big 12 volt alternator. If I can get the Cub fired up on the $34 NAPA coil, maybe I’ll spring up to $70 on a properly fitting replacement.

I mostly only use that Cub for snowplowing in the winter and the Ford for ground plowing in the spring. Lake Erie is pretty much froze over now so I don’t think we’ll be getting any more “lake effect” snow this winter. I may need the Ford before I really need the Farmall again.

I’ll tell you one thing about these red and blue (actually grey and red in the case of mine) tractors, owning them sure makes me appreciate the green ones.

That little Farmall Cub sure is fun to plow snow with though, as is the Ford 8n for plowing ground. Keeping them running is a real challenge, compared to the John Deere’s that I’ve been fortunate enough to own or operate.

 

[ultrarunner]

I run the cub with no battery and never paid much attention as it’s crank start and I just assume magneto ignition?

 

[ruffdog]

I have seen more problems with the cheap import points and condensers than with coils.

 

[wolc123]

I run the cub with no battery and never paid much attention as it’s crank start and I just assume magneto ignition?

Mine cranks over real good but clearly there is no spark. No magneto ignition either (it has a coil connected to a distributer cap).

When it quit, it was just like somebody turned off a switch. The coil looks like it would be about the easiest thing to check as my first “parts swap”.

My old Allis Chalmers C had magneto ignition and no battery on it. I always started that one with a crank handle. It started real good over a narrow temperature range. Was always firm “no go” if it was too hot or too cold though. Once again, orange was another color that gave me appreciation for green.

 

[ultrarunner]

Wish we were closer as I have access to a coil tester.

I've had weak coils found through using a scope... Spark was fine for ideal but no good under load.

Also had bad switch, lose wire or ground inside distributor...

If timing ok and it doesn't try to run with starting fluid or propane it points to electrical...

 

[DJ54]

Did you check for voltage from the switch to coil first before buying a new coil..??