Topic: Ignition Coil ?
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
I'm cruisen' down the freeway doing 70, and as my exit is coming up, I move to the right lane. I'm thinking how sweet it is. The vette is running great, I'm the guy driving this beauty and life is good ! The offramp is 1/4 of a cloverleaf with 4 lanes going through the circle. I went to the outer lane and adjusted as I came around to cross over the freeway I had just left. POOF ! The motor is off (I hate when that happens ). My head is rotating 360 and I see a clear lane to the right side of the road, but there is no emergency lane, just a metal rail. No choice, without power steering, I coast back wards towards the offramp until I'm inside a white line, 6" to spare. Sat for 20-25 min. waiting for a AAA flatbed. Got home safely, grabbed another vette and went out and got an ign. module, what else could it be right ? Installed it with no positive results. WTF ? Now I have to check every part of the ignition. Not the cap or rotor, went to the coil housing and BINGO ! It blew a hole in the ass end of itself. In my life I have never seen such a thing. Who'd a thought ? I didn't know that it was even a possibility. Now, besides a fuel pump and an ign. module, how many other things would you have to carry in your "out of state" roadside emergency kit to cover all the possibilities 
? .....the vette loves the new coil and module.
? .....the vette loves the new coil and module.Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again. 
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
A credit card.
I'm 3 mo. new to my '68 L-79 327ci 350hp. I know that it has a Coil, but does it even have a Ignition Module? If so where is it located, so I can see what it looks like.
If it doesn't have on, in what year did it start. Thanks in advance.
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible
Good Morning If you have OEM 1968 Vette stock ignition with a TACH cable in the base housing below a SMALL cap and vacuum advance then you have OEM distributor which would have a canister type coil mounted on the intake next to distributor and points, no module.'74 was the last year of the points type distributor and went with BIG cap HEI which has the coil in the cap and a module below the rotor.
I hope this helps to answer your question
Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
Hi Sal, Good to hear from you. It's nice to know you're around. I was afraid I was going to have to look that up to answer that question. Thank you my friend.
Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I've seen plenty of coils burn thru the backside. Not normally an instant failure...but once they get so far, they will just give up da ghost. Same thing with ignition modules.
My thoughts are that anyone traveling with an HEI equipped GM should carry a spare coil, module, and rotor. A cap if ya have room, but caps rarely cause no goes....just misses.
nosal is correct of course....no electronic ignitions until the '75 year model, no no module problems with the '68-'74 cars, unless it has been "updated" to an HEI system.
My thoughts are that anyone traveling with an HEI equipped GM should carry a spare coil, module, and rotor. A cap if ya have room, but caps rarely cause no goes....just misses.
nosal is correct of course....no electronic ignitions until the '75 year model, no no module problems with the '68-'74 cars, unless it has been "updated" to an HEI system.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberManteca, CA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2005
Posts: 3623
Vette(s): 1978,two tone,Metalic Rootbeer & gold
1975 L48 4 speed
Thanks for the feedback Joel. I used to hang out at my buddies garage (auto / truck repair shop) once in a while but he leased the place out sooo, that's history. Now I just don't get out much so, thanks for the benefit of your experience buddy.
Jimmy B.
Just can't wait to get on the road again.
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Great hearing from you Jimmy,Joel..I have been around Vette's and cars in general for as long as world turns and enjoy reading the forum and the trials and tribulations that you all help/support you give to the members. I have been in other venues similar to C3VR,however not with the CLASS and generosity you all have demonstrated.I keep an eye on this forum and ring in whenever I think I can be of assistance.It is with great pride I am a member of this great association..By the way when I used to take long trips with the Vette I always carried an extra HEI dist.,even back in the day extra points and coil.Doesn't take much room especially if you are on a lonely road in nowheresville !!!
I don't know if you all recognize the taller gentleman in the picture with me,but he is a past racing competitor of mine from back in the day and still racing only now he owns the race cars.He is Connie Kalitta,super guy and competitor..
You all have a great day and a better one tomorrow. Sal C
Thanks so much. Mine is OEM '68 just as you described. Now I know mine just has the basic ignition technology and not that super complex technology of the mid '70s corvette.
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Sal...how could anyone mistake Connie for anyone else? He's quite the character! Met him a few times waaaaay back in the '70s. He can talk the smack with the best of them! 
Thank YOU for the help you provide here. While it's true you may not post a lot, what you DO post is always good stuff, and right on target. 
Thank YOU for the help you provide here. While it's true you may not post a lot, what you DO post is always good stuff, and right on target.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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