VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Replacing electrolock coil

Hopefully someone can explain how I can replace my older style coil,in my '37 which has the electrolock attached to it, with a new modern type 6 volt coil,which has the + & - termnals on top. I would like to convert to electronic ignition but don't know if I can using the present setup. I have seen made early GM cars on line with the newer style coil. Would appreciate any help.
Thanks
PS: Can I just cut the armored wire off at the cap and use the the exposed internal wire to attach to the new coil + terminal??

I don't know about converting one but if your original coil is still good I may be interested in buying it. If you're interested PM me.

I would caution you on electronic ignition. I had a pertronix ignition module that was adapted for a '28 Chevy by a company in Oklahoma. Worked fine for a few years (couple thousand miles). When running in shop, just quit working. Luckily it was not on the freeway. Finally traced it to the module. Replaced the distributor with points unit so I can get it running. Can repair that one on the side of the road if necessary. Also the points systems don't generally just quit. They start acting up before that. Takes weeks to get another module.

First, I think you can do that.

Second, having said that, I would encourage you not to do it. The old engine is not going to benefit from the new set-up. Well, probably not much, anyway.

As Chipper rightly pointed out you can repair the old points system and keep it going for a long, long time. You don't really need no stinkin' new fangled electronic ignition, do you?

Preservation and restoration is encouraged.

What is wrong with your old coil and set-up?

Charlie

Thanks for the responses. I guess what you are saying makes a lot of sense, I thought it would start and run better with the hotter spark. actually there is nothing wrong with the original set up that is in the car now but the thought of never having to fool with points was attractive.

As a point of information, if I do have to change coils and want to install one of new design, can I just remove the cap from the old coil, and use the existing wire on the positive terminal of the new coil?

Whatever you do, I recommend that you DO NOT cut the armored cable off at the cap. Good electrolocks are hard to find and there is no need in ruining a perfectly good part that someone else can use on their car.

X2

Point well made. I'll figure out a way of doing it without cutting anything, when I need a new coil.
Thanks of the advice, as usual very helpful

NORS electrolock coils come up on ebay fairly regularly.

I didn`t like the old style coil leaking oil at the bottom crimped edge, so disconnected and left in place for looks . Got a new style 6 volt coil and mounted just below the battery platform . Short wire to the distributor and ran a wire to the key start. works fine and have the old one as a back up spare. BTW the old one still leaks a bit even tho it`s not in use . The heat from mounting to the block must be why it leaks. This is on a `40 deluxe David

I think there might be a way to mount a modern coil with the electrolock,you would first have to gut the original coil and slide the modern coil in the shell of the original coil and cut a hole in the back of the cap to run the wire. I done something similar to my 37 to make it look like it had the original coil,I had it wired for a modern coil so I did not run the wire down through the conduit but if I install the other 235 I have I might do it. I cut the ignition switch off the conduit and ran the conduit through the firewall to fill the hole,I had the 37 wired up with a 53 Olds ignition switch that has a accessory terminal and did not want to rewire it just to use the original ignition switch. Even thought I done it for looks I think it can be done to work like original but you will have to gut the original coil so you can attach it to the electrolock,I should have pics on what I done if you want to see it.