Guest Executivekev Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 I have a 1931 Chrysler CD 8. The ignition switch is part of the coil and when I tried to find a new one it seems they dont exist anymore.Anyone know how to add in an external 6 volt coil whilst still retaining the original switch?Thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 You can continue to use the old switch and coil with a new coil. Just splice the new coil into the wire from the old coil to the distributor. Be sure the "-" terminal of the new coil goes to the distributor. I do see the original coils occasionally on ebay, but only about once a month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest martylum Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 Keisers correct.on a 29 Desoto project which has the ignition switch in the coil the switch went bad-postmetal parts. I was able to cobble together a new switch and new 6 V coil using modern parts plus some tubular steel. The switch fits in the dash looking almost original and the coil is attached to the dash using the original studs and a made up metal mounting bracket for the coil.I experienced a failed coil in my 30 Desoto on a Tour in Florida and had to strap in a new 6 V coil I was carrying as a spare along the roadside as dark was closing in along the Atlantic Ocean with the sand fleas biting............On the 29 I decided I wanted the maximum reliability gained using all new parts. I'm still driving the 30 with a strapped in extra coil-so far the switch is OK but it's just a matter of time..Marty Lum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Executivekev Posted December 17, 2011 Share Posted December 17, 2011 KaiserWhich wires do I leave on the old coil. I can mount the new coil right next to the old one and tap off the existing coil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 (edited) Not certain. I got the info elsewhere on the forum and passed it along here. I would imagine that you would tap the new coil in using the same posts as the old coil. I am certainly no electrical whiz, myself, so you might wait until someone who knows more chimes in. Edited December 18, 2011 by keiser31 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest willeys41 Posted December 18, 2011 Share Posted December 18, 2011 ray@old car parts n.w. 206 300 1083 he has tons of stock orig new coils 6 or 12 v0lts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Shadrach Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Sir; I recently purchased a new 6 volt coil for my 1931 Plymouth. from Atwater-Kent Mfg. Co. 12 Jacques St. Worcester,Ma. 01603 It was a bit cashy but they told me they were the only company in the world that made these coils. It also has the key in the end. Good luck. Shadrach Phone 508 792 9500 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farrellg Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Read this post and thought I would update. I tried calling this number today and reached Mike at KM Lifestyle Manufacturing. According to their web site (www.mykmlifestyle.com), the official source of Atwater Kent products. KM Lifestyle still manufactures the early Dodge key/coil combinations as found on my 1930 and 1931 Dodge trucks. They also may be able to rebuild your existing key/coil depending on the condition. They are available at the phone number / address below. As a side note, they also are able to recut new keys for existing Atwater Kent key/coils based on your existing tumbler. As hard as it is to track down parts sources for some of these 80+ year old machines, I thought it important to shout this out. (508) 792 - 9500 Hours of Operation12 Jacques St. Monday - FridayWorcester, MA 01603 9 AM. - 5 PM. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Thanks very much for posting this very useful information!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wombvette Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 Read this post and thought I would update. I tried calling this number today and reached Mike at KM Lifestyle Manufacturing. According to their web site (www.mykmlifestyle.com), the official source of Atwater Kent products. KM Lifestyle still manufactures the early Dodge key/coil combinations as found on my 1930 and 1931 Dodge trucks. They also may be able to rebuild your existing key/coil depending on the condition. They are available at the phone number / address below. As a side note, they also are able to recut new keys for existing Atwater Kent key/coils based on your existing tumbler. As hard as it is to track down parts sources for some of these 80+ year old machines, I thought it important to shout this out. (508) 792 - 9500 Hours of Operation12 Jacques St. Monday - FridayWorcester, MA 01603 9 AM. - 5 PM.Just be careful, this guy is pretty shady, and will not refund money if you dont like the product. Make sure you have terms in writing and are very clear on what the deal is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen_Dyneto Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 If the coil from a 32 Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge will interchange, I have a friend with a NORS one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DeSoto32 Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 I need the coil for a 32 Desoto, by chance is it still available? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hddennis Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 http://www.mykmlifestyle.com/Plymouth_Ignition_Coil.htmlHoward Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmotes Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Will any 6 volt coil work? If not, what's special about the early coils? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Will any 6 volt coil work? If not, what's special about the early coils?The "special" part of the coil is that it is attached to the ignition switch. Similar to this 1931 Dodge coil.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmotes Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 The coil I pulled from my 31 plymouth PA wasn't keyed. It was just a simple coil with a positive and negative connection plus the center main line to the distributor cap. I damaged it, bought a new 6 volt online and the car starts but it's not idling and running like an old washing machine. Any ideas? Oh I did locate top dead center number 4 and marked it on the distributor cap. I connected everything in a 1342 firing order going clockwise around the distributor. I can only assume the issue is my coil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 The coil I pulled from my 31 plymouth PA wasn't keyed. It was just a simple coil with a positive and negative connection plus the center main line to the distributor cap. I damaged it, bought a new 6 volt online and the car starts but it's not idling and running like an old washing machine. Any ideas? Oh I did locate top dead center number 4 and marked it on the distributor cap. I connected everything in a 1342 firing order going clockwise around the distributor. I can only assume the issue is my coil.Sounds as if the car had the incorrect coil when you got it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmotes Posted August 30, 2015 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Sounds as if the car had the incorrect coil when you got it.Interesting. If that's the case, I'll look for a keyed system. I had no idea. This year model didn't come with a maintenance manual. Just an owner's manual and that's not mentioned.Thanks, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 32stude Posted August 31, 2015 Share Posted August 31, 2015 Be careful 1931 Chrysler product coil is different from the 1932 version. Both are keyed coils but the switch end that mounts to the dash is different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c49er Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 Does not the + side of the coil connect to the distributor on a positive ground system? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now