MTFCA Forum

Good evening. What years does this size spark coil fit? I know it fits the 1926 and ‘27, but I’m not sure of the other years it fits. If I’m not mistaken, the earlier years used a different size. Thank you for your help. Jim Patrick

I don't know the exact year for that particular coil, but it is a standard Ford coil and It will fit a 20, 22, 25 and 26. So I suspect that all the years between those will fit also. Don't know whether it will fit the Brass era T's.
Norm

Nice clear, vibrant close-up pictures. It’ll ‘fit’ in a 14-16 coil box but wouldn’t be correct. Otherwise, it’ll fit and be correct for all 17-27 Model T s.

Thank you. Yes. It is standard. It came out of my ‘26 coupe… So, it will fit the 1920,‘21,‘22,‘23,’24,’25,’26 and 1927, but not the 1919 and earlier? Thank you. Jim Patrick

It will fit as far back as early year of 1913

I just checked Lang’s online catalog and it said this coil would fit 1914-1927. If I put that in my description, would it be wrong or misleading? Would this coil work in a 1914, 1915 and 1916? Thank you all very much. I just need to get this right, for sure. Jim Patrick

Brass top coils are correct for '14 - '16 - in that neighborhood, although that one does fit.

Yes Jim. As I stated at 5:29 pm today, it’ll fit and work in a 14-16 coil box too. Correct for 17-27.

Hey there Jim P!
Early brass Ts used a variety of manufacturers, and they changed models and dimensions a few times. For 1913, Ford decided to standardize the coil design and fit. The actual change was made about mid model year for 1913, or about May of 1913. Many earlier model Ts had their coil boxes changed to the new style for reliability and maintenance reasons.
Properly stated, it "fits and works originally from mid 1913 through 1927 model T Fords." It "fits and is authentically correct for 1918 through 1927 model T Fords."
The technicality is that mid 1913 through 1916 model T Fords used brass/copper topped coils (some of which were coated in a black oxide originally!). And many 1917s used an odd black experimental plastic case that didn't work out very well. Most of those experimental plastic coils warped and began failing quickly. Ford discontinued them before 1917 was over, and went to the all wooden coil like you have. People wanting to "properly" restore their 1913 through 1917 model T may choose to insist upon either the brass/copper top or the odd plastic coils as a special detail. People wanting a driver T usually don't care and cover the coils with the box's lid anyway. So the top of the coils can't be seen anyway. And the later wood-topped coils fit and work perfectly in the mid 1913 and later brass era coil boxes.

Good luck Jim!

Thank you, all. So my description should say. “These coils will work in the later 1913 thru 1927 Model T’s, however they are correct for 1917 thru 1927 Model T’s. While they will work in 1913 thru 1916, they are incorrect in appearance than the ones that were designed for the 1913 thru 1916 Model T’s.” Do you think that is accurate enough? Please critique. Thank you, again. Jim Patrick

It is correct when talking calendar years but in Model years, Fiscal years, then 1914 and on. seems to be a lot of research and time invested for the sale of a $10 part.

You got it Jim. Your last post is entirely correct.

Thank you everyone for all your help. I feel comfortable that there will be no deceit or misunderstandings. Jim Patrick.

Are you selling your T's? It is always good to have some spare coils on hand and even keep one or two in each of your cars just in case you have a problem with a coil on a tour. Or you might be able to help another driver who has a problem
Norm

I can be corrected but the modification to coils by Henry was not "plastic" but made of a mixture of "soy bean". They did not last and he returned to the common wood design. Dick C.

17-27

The specific coil depicted in your photos is typical of the "standard" size (non metal top) coil adopted for the Model T mid year 1917 and can be used in the metal coilbox that was introduced in mid year 1913 and used till thge end of Model T production.
The "standard" size all wood and metal top coil are interchangeable in any metal coilbox with the exception that metal top coils (1913 to mid year 1917) should not be used in the 1926-27 metal coilbox. The the coilbox lid spring tabs that securely hold the coils in place inside the coilbox will interfere with the raised metal stamping. The tabs will distort and can short the coil points to ground.
A few comments about the specific coil pictured above. After the Wheat gluten cast design was withdrawn and the standard all wood was adopted there was a short time when coils made by Ford had no Ford script. The branded Ford script showing first appeared in 1919 (I have forgotten the exact date) and was changed to the rolled in script on the top edge of the wood case top in February 1923 and remained unchaged till the end of Model T production.
Ron Patterson

Thank you everyone. This has been a very interesting and informative thread. Norman…. Since you asked, yes I am selling my Model T’s. There seem to be so many here that, for some reason, frown on anyone mentioning that he has Model T items for sale, when such notifications should be welcome to our members when some parts are becoming so hard to get, I have avoided mentioning it. Since September, I have been selling all of my spare T parts and have had the Red ‘26 Fordor listed, which I think I have sold to a fellow in Texas for $8,500.00, who plans to fly to Florida in March to pay me and transport it to its new home and I am getting my ‘26 coupe all polished up, tuned up and ready to list in the coming weeks. It has never looked better. As much as I love Model T’s, I seem to have lost my passion for the hobby and with six rental properties and mowing to maintain, I just don’t have the time for it. Also, at 68 years of age, I’m not getting any younger, in addition to the fact that, last October, my best lifelong friend I joined the Marine Corps with, died of a stroke. In addition to this, there are the many MTFCA members that have met with sudden, untimely and premature deaths, that has demonstrated to me that we are all mortal and death can overtake us at any time. My mortality has become apparent and if anything were to happen to me, my wife would be lost as to how to deal with all of the valuable items I have accumulated over the past 50 years. Since September, I have sold over a hundred items on eBay for over $50,000.00, after getting paid for the Fordor, over $60,000.00. Overall, I have made much more than what I paid. After my Dad’s death in 2017, we sold his entire estate, accumulated over 70 years, in an estate sale and came away with just $4,000.00. I was amazed at how little the stuff sold for, for he only bought the finest quality. Judging by the true value of what I felt his estate was worth, $4,000.00 is less than half a penny on the dollar and the estate liquidators got more than my sister and I. I think it is better the way I am doing it. As hard as it is, the hardest will be selling my ‘26 coupe that I restored in 1970 and have had for 52 years, but I need to be sure it goes to a good home. Preferably the home of a Model T lover that will love it and keep it up as I have. Bittersweet, but necessary for my wife and I. Jim Patrick

I have seen examples of later coils with the Ford script at the top, and in the center.

Martynn,
Great drawing! I think it is the first time I noticed it.

Everyone, the best document I came across regarding Ford coils is The Model T Ignition Coil by Trent Boggess and Ronald Patterson. I understand it was originally in the Vintage Ford. Then I think it was available at a vendors website. But I could only find it here: https://studylib.net/doc/8191195/the-mo ... ition-coil.

In this Forty pages of information you will see the coil in question is listed as a 1919-1923.

I believe this document should be put as a resource document on the MTFCA.

Enjoy,
Matt