quote:Originally posted by Bosswrench:
Can't comment on e-coil efficiency but I currently use a later Ford e-coil with an earlier Ford Duraspark electronic distributor (compatible with the 351-C), and it all works fine together. As for performance, a wise engine builder once said,'there's no power to be had in an ignition system but there's certainly power to be LOST if what you have isn't working perfectly!'
My main reason for using one is, e-coils are almost insensitive to temperature, while an equivalent can-of-oil coil will overheat and rupture under some conditions, ruining the coil, killing the engine and some of the engine wiring. I have proven this to myself twice; the e-coil that replaced the cans has survived intact for 10 years under the same conditions.
Under operating conditions, any ignition coil conducts electricity during engine firings with a rest period in between that allows the coil to cool. The rest period is critical to can-coil life but seemingly not so much for e-coils.
Yes i have had the old style coils break open in the past and then i moved the coil from the engine to a place on the fender and used a long main ignition lead.
That kept the coil cooler and i've not had any others break open since but the coil i'm using is getting old now so needs to be changed out anyway.
Does the Ford e-coil you are using require a ballast resistor ? How many ohms would it be ?