Model T Buzz coils, where do I start?

[Karl T Schwab]

Dear Fellow Buzz coiler's: Two old Ford buzz coils found their way into my sack from Portland this week, and of course, the seller says they work! Now, where should I start? I looked at some old threads on this forum and they were helpful. I opened one of them up and found tar as expected. Should I remove the tar so I can check the capacitor, wiring, etc? The points and hardware on top are rusty and dirty. I would like to get at least one coil working for the Ford Kitchen Table gas engine that I would like to build. Any and all tips, kinks, anything would be greatly appreciated, of course. Thanks guys, Karl in Warren, MI

[BobRR]

Karl I would see if they work before tearing them apart.Dont fix if not broken! Clean the points and conections and go from there. BobRR

[George Andreasen]

Karl,
If you will email your regular (snail mail) address, I have an excellent article that shows how to test and repair Ford coils. The condenser (actually a capacitor in today's lingo) is usually what fails first and is easily replaced with a new one from Radio Shack for about 50 cents. New points are available from any Model T supply outfit for about 10 bucks last time I checked. The actual coil inside should be good and will throw a spark that will knock your socks off. Shoot me an email! George Andreasen

[Karl T Schwab]

Well guys, I dis-assembled the points on both coil boxes, gave them a thorough cleaning, re-assembled everything and nothing! Now, do I melt the tar out of them (I'll start with one of them) to go "inside" and look around? I can't throw them out, I have to find the trouble! Please HELP!! Thanks, Karl

[kerogas]

How is it going with the Bultaco ? Get it to light off yet ?

You should have that coil manual by now , and here's another angle ...
http://royalcrossfarm.com/BOZZCOIL.htm
OH , And I forgot to add to that last post .........Ce Moto !!!

[Karl T Schwab]

Thanks guys for the tips on getting my two old Ford model "T" coils going. I took your advise, cleaned the points and added an external old auto points capacitor, and voila, big sparks on a old spark plug! I want to build Henry Ford's Kitchen Table Engine and use one of these coils for ignition. Thanks again guys. Karl