Dumb Late Night Question

[tony barnhill]

Okay - the wiring diagram for my '63 MkI Midget shows "SW" & "CB" as the terminals on the coil - but my old & new coils only have "+" & "-".....its late on Friday night...I'm tired & angry...which is which?

Is "SW" "+" or "-"?

 

[RonMacPherson]

The ignition switch lead should go to the SW post of the coil, which if it is a negative ground car will be +. The CB is to the contact breakers in the distributor or - in todays terminology.

Now hopefully, you've already gone to bed and you will install the wiring to the coil in the morning after a good night's sleep.

Aloha(It's only 20 to 7 here in paradise).

 

[DrEntropy]

On a '63 it came as positive earth, so SW would be a minus sign on that setup. If the polarity is reversed then Ron's setup would apply.


Just some pot stirring...

 

[jlaird]

In reality it makes no difference. It will run just fine either way.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

We've had this discussion before, and I agree that it will run either way. However, I suspect it works better if it is wired according to the markings.

 

[Pythias]

they do indeed run if bacwards and run BETTER if the polarity is correct.. you only get about 1/2 the voltage if its backward... have a look at a wiring diagram and you'll see why this is so...

 

[tony barnhill]

OK...."SW" = "-"...that's the weay I'll hook it up (if I ever get the correct wiring harness!)

 

[jlaird]

My point was not to panic, both will work just fine.

 

[tony barnhill]

Understood, Jack - I just wanted to 'get it right'....plus, I was real tired last night!