AlanT Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 Hi Experts. Do you know what coil should be fitted to a 1980 Spit. Think I’ve cocked up by using a coil I had on my recent resto. It say’s ‘use only with ballast’ which I’ve noticed after getting an intermittent electrical cutout once warm. Have already checked all the other likely culprits. I don’t recall seeing any ballast on the wiring loom (whilst out). Thanks Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted February 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 as there are two wires going to the + the dull white with a pink trace is the ballasted feed the second wire will go to the starter solenoid so when cranking you boost the ballast 6-8v up to the 12/14 v while cranking this uses a 1.5ohm coil which is what you have fitted so looks correct i take it the brown is to the dizzy whats the blue connect for as its a 1500 i guess this is for a electronic rev counter ??? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 I was gonna say that! But once again Uncle Pete got there first. All that remains to say is un-ballasted coil is 3 ohms. 😡 Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted February 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 Thanks @Pete Lewis Yes. Brown to dizzy. All of which means something else is a bit dodgy once warm. I’ve got spare plugs to try and, failing this, will swap condenser, cap again. The car starts and runs really well. Just a bit of sudden cut once warm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 When you say “cut out” is it a momentary missed beat or EVERYTHING off, or…… Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 on a separate subject Alan, that looks like the starter solenoid next to the coil (Im not very familar with Spits) and neither of the main cable connections to it have rubber boots on. I would get one put on asap, at least for the one from the battery, as its so exposed and could get nasty if accidentally shorted to earth😩 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 Unlikely, but a bust electronic rev counter of the kind fitted to the last Spitfires can cause running problems. So trying with it disconnected is worthwhile to eliminate it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted February 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 Thanks All, It’s a momentary engine cutout. Only happens once warmed up. Good point @johnyre the lack of a rubber boot. Will check the rec counter @Josef Going to check valve clearances as well since I’ve not idea if the engine is lead free or not. It’s in such fine condition I’m just I running it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted February 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 Once the cut out starts to happen it does so with increasing frequency. Deffo feels electrical. I’ve put a full tank of the posh petrol in to count that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 some 1500 did have inserts but it doesnt matter there is so much lead memory in the casting you can drive thousands of miles with no concern about lead if the head needs to come off at some time then consider having exhaust seats or looking to see if its already done when warm up does it get a bit woolly before it dies ???? wax stats on the jets can cause chaos if fitted there is an easy repar cost 2p let us know this shows a waxstat jet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 other simple things green mould inside the coil HT connector centre brush missing from inside the dizzy cap rotor arm with a rivet in the sweep contact does it have electronic or points in the dizzy have you noted any back fires ??? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 42 minutes ago, AlanT said: It’s a momentary engine cutout. Only happens once warmed up Sounds like a disi problem - as Pete said, electronic or points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted February 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 I’ve now checked the leads/cleaned and changed plugs (colour is good). Have also checked valves and gaps are perfect. It’s points and not a rivet arm. Points gap is good. Going to drive it now and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted February 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 And no wax stats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted February 25, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 Just tried it and no misfire so far. Think a spark plug had failed after 400 miles. Time will tell. Thanks all. You saved me spending on another coil to try it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 4 hours ago, AlanT said: Think a spark plug had failed after 400 miles. Certainly plausible - I've had them fail quicker than that once or twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted February 25, 2023 Report Share Posted February 25, 2023 Me too! Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted February 26, 2023 Report Share Posted February 26, 2023 and dont use plugs with an R in the suffix it corks up our low HT and as for plug fails >>>>>>>>>>> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted February 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2023 Thanks All, No fouling issues as the engine is in great health. Just appears to have been a straightforward failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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