12v Ignition Coil Position ?

PostPost by: l10tus » Fri Jul 04, 2014 2:41 am

The ignition coil on my UK Sprint is / was originally mounted on the glass fibre inner wing, below the Webbers, at quite an angle.

I have seen pictures of coils mounted on the side of the RH radiator mounting bracket, in a vertical position.

It occurs to me that a source of sparks below the petrol filled carbs is not clever, so is the repositioning an accepted sensible safety modification, Or a no no ?

Thoughts please?

Regards,

Phil.
Philip.

UK '72 Sprint DHC

Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
User avatar
l10tus
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 444
Joined: 10 Apr 2008

PostPost by: rgh0 » Fri Jul 04, 2014 2:48 am

I relocated mine soon after I got my Elan to mount it vertically at the side of the radiator as it improves access to both the coil and to the underside of the Webers and other bits in that area such as the engine mount and master cylinders.

You still have enough sparks under the carbs in the distributor to probably ignite any leaks so I don't think it actually makes it much safer :roll:

cheers
Rohan
User avatar
rgh0
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 8815
Joined: 22 Sep 2003

PostPost by: terryp » Fri Jul 04, 2014 7:38 am

Clive makes a really nice bracket for this position .......
http://www.cliveyboy.com/product/lotus- ... l-bracket/

Terry
terryp
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1571
Joined: 29 Nov 2007

PostPost by: diablo » Fri Jul 04, 2014 9:12 am

Changing for changing , why not place it in front of the radiator where it will benefit of cold air ?
Heat is the enemy of the coils , isn't it ( isn't it , a formula I learnt at school when I was twelve years old , nice to place it ! )
Cheers
JCL
diablo
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 59
Joined: 25 Dec 2013

PostPost by: Pistacchio sprint 72 » Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:05 pm

Lots of frenchies here speaking english! That's great!

A coil must for SURE never be upside down.
Cooled down by CliveyBoy!
User avatar
Pistacchio sprint 72
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 735
Joined: 12 Sep 2012

PostPost by: terryp » Fri Jul 04, 2014 12:10 pm

I not a Frenchie I come from SOUUUUUUUUFFFFFFFFF LONDON!

Terry :lol:
terryp
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1571
Joined: 29 Nov 2007

PostPost by: l10tus » Fri Jul 04, 2014 4:34 pm

Gents,

Thanks for the replies,

mmmmmm I'll have a think about that one!

Where are yours mounted?

Regards,

Phil.
Philip.

UK '72 Sprint DHC

Sometimes my Lotus makes me cry.
User avatar
l10tus
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 444
Joined: 10 Apr 2008

PostPost by: alan » Fri Jul 04, 2014 4:34 pm

and i come from Pompey or Peoooooortsmuf :mrgreen:
Alan.B
alan
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 310
Joined: 29 Jan 2007

PostPost by: Mr.Gale » Fri Jul 04, 2014 5:45 pm

Pistacchio sprint 72 wrote:Lots of frenchies here speaking english! That's great!

A coil must for SURE never be upside down.



Say what? I've had my coil mounted upside down for years and there has never been a problem. The reason I mounted it upside down was if I washed the engine water would run down the coil wire and short out the coil. I am not an expert so if you have a link that explains why upside down is a problem I would like to read it.
Thanks,
Mr.Gale
Mr.Gale
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 147
Joined: 08 Sep 2009

PostPost by: Galwaylotus » Fri Jul 04, 2014 8:54 pm

Here's where I relocated mine. I don't have metal working facilities so I fabricated a bracket from GRP and attached it to the radiator mount. 8)
Attachments
Coil Relocation.jpg and
Mechanical Engineer, happily retired!

'67 S3 SE FHC

See Facebook page: W J Barry Photography

Put your money where your mouse is, click on "Support LotusElan.net" below.
User avatar
Galwaylotus
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1348
Joined: 01 May 2006

PostPost by: Pistacchio sprint 72 » Sun Jul 06, 2014 7:42 am

My old mechanician says : do not run this coil horizontally or upside down..Because the oil level inside will not completely cover the coil windings, so they over heat and short out prematurely."
But on the other hand there seem to be new generation of coils either solid inside or filled up completely and which are not disturbed by the position they are installed in....
Cooled down by CliveyBoy!
User avatar
Pistacchio sprint 72
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 735
Joined: 12 Sep 2012

PostPost by: types26/36 » Sun Jul 06, 2014 8:12 am

I have seen some coils leak oil when fitted upside down but VW fitted about two million beetle engines with the coil upside down :mrgreen:
Attachments
image.jpg and
Brian
64 S2 Roadster
72 Sprint FHC
User avatar
types26/36
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 3872
Joined: 11 Sep 2003

PostPost by: rgh0 » Sun Jul 06, 2014 8:50 am

I bet it was not a Lucas coil :lol:

cheers
Rohan
User avatar
rgh0
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 8815
Joined: 22 Sep 2003

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 37 guests