TR2/3/3A WHAT IGNITION COIL TO BUY FOR MY 59 TR3

[Alvin]

I figured out that my ignition coil was bad so now I need a replacement recommendation. All is stock on the car. I replaced my original Lucas coil with a coil I had laying around which says 12 volt and "use with primary resistance wire or external resistor", but I do not know if this will be OK or not, and thus I want to order a new one. Should I get the standard coil as listed in the catalogs, or the Sport Coil, or what? Thanks ........AL

 

[Geo Hahn]

I use a Sport Coil but can't swear it makes a difference. In any case, I think that coil you have substituted is not suitable as is and may be a problem down the road.

 

[lbcs_r_fun]

I figured out that my ignition coil was bad so now I need a replacement recommendation. All is stock on the car. I replaced my original Lucas coil with a coil I had laying around which says 12 volt and "use with primary resistance wire or external resistor", but I do not know if this will be OK or not, and thus I want to order a new one. Should I get the standard coil as listed in the catalogs, or the Sport Coil, or what? Thanks ........AL

Alvin: The original coil on your car would have been a Lucas HA 12 (high output, 12 volts). This coil was NOT designed for use with a ballast resistor. Your replacement coil needs to be the non-ballast resistor type. Lucas coils are available from the major suppliers, e.g. TRF, Moss, etc. Unless your car is a very late 1959 model, your electrical connections have ring terminals, so when you order your coil be sure to specify this type.

T

 

[TR3driver]

Another alternative would be to supply the external resistor that your current coil needs. Should be available at your FLAPS. As Geo says, you don't want to run without the resistor as sooner or later something will burn up. When I tried it years ago (young & stupid instead of old & stupid), the rubbing block on the points literally melted!

I likewise am running a Lucas Sports coil, but only because that was the cheapest option available when my original coil crapped out @ TRfest a couple years back. Didn't seem to run any better than before the original failed. OTOH, the gold and white looks pretty

Don't know if anyone is actually selling a reproduction of the original coil; but note that the original used a screw-in fitting for the high tension lead. The Lucas Sports uses a push-in connection. You'll want the terminal to match on your HT wire; the push-in terminal doesn't work well with the screw-in coil (or vice versa).

 

[Geo Hahn]

...OTOH, the gold and white looks pretty...

Unless you're bored one winter evening and opt to paint the coil & body to something resembling period colors:

 

[TR3driver]

I think I can honestly say that I've never been that bored in my life! At least not while I owned a Triumph.

 

[70herald]

I got a nice chrome plated one. It looks so much faster even when the engine isn't running.

Realistically, it doesn't make that much of a difference. Since your original coil had the resistor built in, then you either need a coil with the resistor built in, or a coil without a resistor and add a resistor in the circuit. Since you already have a coil, I would just go to FLAPS and get a standard ballast resistor.

 

[Alvin]

Thanks for the input. Mine has the spade connectors so I will order that from VB. Sure do like the chrome one though. It matches my bumpers!

 

[Geo Hahn]

FWIW -- the Lucas Sport Coil can be used with either spade or screw connections for the low-tension leads (i.e. it comes with male spades than attach to the screw posts. It does though use the push-on high tension lead as Randall noted.

 

[TR3driver]

FWIW -- the Lucas Sport Coil can be used with either spade or screw connections for the low-tension leads (i.e. it comes with male spades than attach to the screw posts. It does though use the push-on high tension lead as Randall noted.

The same holds true for most aftermarket coils. If it doesn't come with the spade adapters, they are readily available at Radio Shack, etc. And any good auto parts store should have the parts to convert the HT lead to push-on.

 

[LBCs_since_1988]

FWIW, my Lucas Sport Coil burned out after two years. I put the original (45 year-old) coil back in and it runs. Got a Bosch Blue coil on order.

Luckily I was a block away from home when it quit. I rolled downhill, right into my driveway!