What's the best way to remove a coil from the coil box if it's in there really tight. Also, what do I want to avoid pulling on when trying to get the coil out? Thanks,
John
I sure wouldn't pull on any of the brass studs, contact points, etc. Best to grab only on the wood.
Have the coils been recently varnished? If so that's guaranteed to give you a rough time getting them out.
You might have to remove the coil box, invert and gently tap with a rubber hammer.
Once you get them out, waxing them with a good paste wax will probably prevent that occurring again.
Good luck!
You can pull on the two bolts which hold the points, but do not pull on the points or the bridge. If you can get one coil pulled, the others will come out easier. So try to find one which can be pulled and then wiggle the others side to side while pulling upward.
Norm
Thanks for the comments. That helps. I'll use that next time.
John
In your situation there are three possibilities.
One, unlikely, you have an original unmolested coilbox where the coils were originally tight and difficult to remove after many years.
Or, two you have a coilbox that has been contorted out of shape by people trying to remove the coils with inappropriate methods.
Or three your coils have swollen wood boxes or as Bud stated been varnished.
In all cases Norman's recommendations for removing the coils is best.
Do not try to pry the coils from the box or you will only make matters worse.
But, when you do get the coils out of the box, try to find way they are hard to install/remove. If the coil wood box is swollen try truing them up on a belt sander removing the swollen sections.
Closely inspect the coilbox and address any malformations causing the problem. If the coils have been varnished try removing this coating with lacquer thinner.
It would be best to rebuild the coilbox with a FunProjects wood replacement kit.
Finally coat the coils wood boxes (not points) with boiled linseed oil or paraffin which will make them easier to remove.
A little know fact is when Ford manufactured coils the wooden boxes were immersed into boiling paraffin to water proof them prior to going to the coil assembly line. If you have ever seen a NOS Ford coil that has never been installed in a car you will find remnants of the paraffin coating.
Good luck and give me a call if you run into trouble.
Ron the Coilman