Coil Question

[Been Here Before]

I noticed this statement from a forum inquiry about a recent purchased coil tester:

"And it's definitely not suitable for finding matched coils since it cannot show firing characteristics of the coil."

At the time Henry and company put their latest to the public were they concerned with matching coils.

Considering that the induction coils used for ignition were a staple of other period and earlier cars even the fabled Rolls-Royce.

Up until the later 20th and now 21st century are matching coils that important for the operation of the Model T?

[TXGOAT2]

In a word, yes.

Not many, if any, other cars used the Ford system with a low tension "timer" and 4 vibrator coils. It has a number of advantages, but one disadvantage is that ignition timing from one cylinder to another can vary by several degrees, which will lead to less than ideal performance, and improper adjustment can cause excess current draw, which will damage the timer and shorten point life, and perhaps make starting on magneto difficult. Synchronizing each coil's "time to fire" as closely as possible eliminates irregular timing problems and, if done properly, it will maximize point and timer life and reduce current draw while assuring easy starting and smooth running. An HCCT, used properly, can do a fair job of synchronizing coils and minimizing current draw. An ECCT can do a very precise job of synchronization when used properly.

[Ron Patterson]

In a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine controlling inter-cylinder timing differences is important.
Ron Patterson

[MKossor]

An HCCT, used properly, can do a fair job of synchronizing coils and minimizing current draw.

Provided all 4 coils are identical electrically and mechanically. In other words, have the same coil inductance, and resistance with matched coil points having the same mechanical properties. Otherwise, the HCCT used properly (average coil current set to 1.30A, no double sparking) will guarantee the coils will fire spark at different times with degraded engine performance.

[TXGOAT2]

The HCCT was about the best equipment available for a long time.