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kyreb1862

kyreb1862

Jedi Knight
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Why were the coils on MGB's mounted upside down? Was there a reason? When I mounted the new coil on my 77 I turned it so the tower and connections are on top. Should I turn it over and mount it like the original coil? Or maybe I just have to much time on my hands.
 
So those high viscosity Lucas electrons pour out more easily! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

...yeah, John, fussin' fer naught. Mount it wichever way it makes life easier. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
It doesn't matter which way you mount it. Early coils were oil-filled and therefore always mounted upright. With gel coils such as the type in MGBs they can be mounted any way you like. In fact, they were not alway upside-down in MGBs. The mounting position changed through the years.

The only practical reason I can think of to mount a coil upside down intentionally is to shorten the lead from the coil to the distributor.
 
Do you think it might be something to do with moisture run off in the rain? Just thought that probably means nothing.
Bob
 
Water is unlikely to get into the coil connector unless you drive with the hood open, and even then the rubber boot should protect it. Some moisture will get on it during a rainy drive, however it is unlikely to penetrate the boot. If it was to get inside, I don't think it would get back out easily, no matter which way the coil was mounted. So again, it really makes no difference if you mount it pointing up, down or sideways.
 
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif

*see prior post.


"Upside right, downside wrong..."


It's an "electron multiplier" whot'll work in any attitude. You could hang it from th' hood hinges... as long as it has connection to the points, the battery and a (marginal) ground... *SNAP!* ya got spark. Car will run.
 
Early coils were mounted horizontally on top of the motor mount/generator bracketry so I think the location & orientation of the coil on the inner fender was more a convenience & cost factor than anything...the coil-to-distributor wire is shortest with it in that location, the wires from the harness fit without adding any length & the prongs are pointing downward so mechanics didn't get 'nipped' by them.
 
Keep in mind that smoke is lighter than air so it only stands to reason that upside down is correct to keep the smoke in.
 
Another reason for moving the coil off the generator and onto the fender wall is that vibration can shorten the life of a coil. And engines just happen to vibrate a lot! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif Four cylinder ones that is.---Keoke- /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif
 
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