MTFCA Forum

New to this Forum - hoping the experts here can help me. I apologize for the turned photos - not sure they loaded like that? I found this at a yard sale and had no idea what it was so I bought it out of curiosity. After seeing the "FORD" in script I started looking there and from my limited research I'm fairly certain it is an ignition coil "buzz box" for a Model T. Now that I think I know what it is I'm looking to sell it but want my description to be accurate. I see there are lots of variations. Is it possible to get a year model that this coil would have gone on? I see some coils say they are made by "KW". Is this one a KW coil? So many questions! Thank you in advance. God bless! Mark

Most Model T folks carry a multimeter to swap meets and test the units out before they buy. Many have internal shorts in the windings or bad capacitors and need to be rebuilt. Some of the untested units on Ebay are listed at really stupid high prices because the sellers think they are rare. They are commonly sold rebuilt and brand new by Model T parts houses even today.

Back in the day these coils and similar units were used on a lot of small engines.

That is a Model T coil. The pictures show it in the upright position. It appears to be from the T era, and not a reproduction unit. It still looks to have its original capacitor. It would fit most Model Ts built after about 1916 or so, and perhaps other years. Each car had 4 coils, so all you need is 3 more coils and a T to put them in. That coil probably will not work well, if at all, as is, but it is very likely rebuildable to work like new.

Yes that is a T spark coil. Just to see what they may sell for in the condition yours is go the the MTFCA classifieds and check out the post about having coils for sale. Yours is a rebuildable unit and the wood is in good shape for that.
The guys that rebuild them get around $45-75 dollars each for them. It’s depends and slightly varies on the price. They usually get sold as a set of 4 since the Model T has a four cylinder engine. Just some info you might be interested in.
Over the years that T’s were used there is no telling how many of those were made! That style of coil was used from around 1916 to 27 when Model T’s were still being made. So from 27 onward till at least 1950 Model T’s were still in use and LOTS of coils were made and still reproduced from the T parts suppliers.

I believe coils that measures about 3000 ohms between the two terminals om the side (i.e. the high tension circuit is OK) sell for 5 bucks on swapmeets.

That is a Model T coil. The ones built by KY have the letters KY engraved into them. some have the name FORD. Some might not have any name on them. They are very plentiful even now. I Pick them up at Swap Meets usually under $15.
I test them on a Buzz Box and then in my T. If they work I keep them. I save the others so that some day, I might rebuild them or send them out. I have replaced the condensers on some of them and install new points and adjust the points.
Norm

Wow! Thanks for all the comments. Glad to see I was on the right track. I had no idea these are so common. Guess I'll put a listing out in the For Sale forum and see if anyone is interested. Thanks again - stay healthy! Mark

It's good to see your thoughts on that coil. I suggest you check ebay. There you will find opinions on what coils may bring cost wise. The one you have is not in very good shape.

I had no idea these are so common.

Fifteen million Model T's = 60,000,000 coils, plus several decades of aftermarket replacements.

Mark: This diagram should answer many of your questions.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view ... ajaxserp=0

Often the deteriorated wood case hides a rebuildable coil inside. (The wood may or may not be acceptable, if there's evidence of 'carbon tracking' around the high tension contact, I would not invest in rebuilding.) If you rebuild it using the correct replacement capacitor and points components and adjusting it to original operating specifications, you will have committed a nontrivial monetary and time investment. In my view, however, that investment is trivial to the amount of pleasure that comes with learning how the thing was constructed, how it operates and bringing a century-old artifact back to life. Enjoy, jb

MarkM wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 01, 2021 9:53 am

Wow! Thanks for all the comments. Glad to see I was on the right track. I had no idea these are so common. Guess I'll put a listing out in the For Sale forum and see if anyone is interested. Thanks again - stay healthy! Mark

Let me be brutally honest. These are readily available @ swap meets for $2 - $5 each. Yours is on the rough side. (Wood wise)
Not to mention unknown functionally, without meter testing. A savvy coil buyer checks before buying.
It is common to see these in "antique stores" marked $50 - $100.
In reality, this 1 coil would not be worth the shipping cost If you gave it away.

Well OK then - that answers that. Thanks for telling it like it is! Mark

Heck just clean it up and set it on your coffee table for a conversation piece. People are often amazed by a “wooden” coil box! I know I was and still am

It may work, after a fashion, if you clean the points. They're fun to play with, but take care ... they do bite. A person using a cardio pacemaker might best avoid the things.