1955 ignition coil dimensions

[Critterpainer]

The aftermarket coil on my 55 peed on itself and the intake manifold. Went down to FLAPS (friendly local auto parts store) and bought a new one. Its diameter was smaller than then my dead one and it was a bit too long to fit easily between the carb and the valve cover. The very old non-original coil was 2 1/4" in diameter and 4" tall not including the dimension above the can part. The replacement was 2" in diameter and about 4 1/2" tall. Of course I was told it was the right one. 🙄 After I got back home and discovered this, I dug into the box of parts that came with my Bird. In the box I found a new coil (made in USA ) with an orange top. Looked like a similar color as the old Ford coils. It too was the long small diameter size. OK now I was getting frustrated. Wandered over to my poor 65 Mustang (pretty correct under the hood) and checked that coil. Orange top but it was the short and fat dimension (2 1/4" diameter x 4" tall) I am now totally confused. I know I need a 1.5 ohm (externally resisted) coil for my 6 volt cat but I would like to know the correct size. I am not try to win any shows but I do try to keep the car as close to correct as I economically can.

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[paul5456]

All the coils that I have bought from parts stores over the last few years are longer and smaller diameter. If you buy from the TBird parts suppliers you may get th correct size coil, but ask first. What I have done to make it fit better in the coil bracket is to wrap black tape around it where the bracket would be. Never found the length to be a problem even if a little longer

 

[Ward 57]

The aftermarket coil on my 55 peed on itself and the intake manifold. Went down to FLAPS (friendly local auto parts store) and bought a new one. Its diameter was smaller than then my dead one and it was a bit too long to fit easily between the carb and the valve cover. The very old non-original coil was 2 1/4" in diameter and 4" tall not including the dimension above the can part. The replacement was 2" in diameter and about 4 1/2" tall. Of course I was told it was the right one. 🙄 After I got back home and discovered this, I dug into the box of parts that came with my Bird. In the box I found a new coil (made in USA ) with an orange top. Looked like a similar color as the old Ford coils. It too was the long small diameter size. OK now I was getting frustrated. Wandered over to my poor 65 Mustang (pretty correct under the hood) and checked that coil. Orange top but it was the short and fat dimension (2 1/4" diameter x 4" tall) I am now totally confused. I know I need a 1.5 ohm (externally resisted) coil for my 6 volt cat but I would like to know the correct size. I am not try to win any shows but I do try to keep the car as close to correct as I economically can.

I feel your pain. I just replaced my coil and realized that the one I replaced many years ago that was smaller in diameter. Back when I was dumb young I replaced it and had wrapped a bunch of stuff around it to fit the bracket. The new one from CASCO fits perfectly and works great.

 

[doug7740]

The attached information is from the Thunderbird Restoration Details and Specifications Manual.

As Ward said, CASCO sells an ignition coil that will fit perfectly.

If you have a 1955 Thunderbird:

Coil - 55 - 1 Per car-classictbird.com

Not black, like original but good functional replacement. For bench testing: Resistance + to - on primary coil is about 1.5 ohms. Resistance from either + or - terminal to secondary coil (center tap) is about 11200 ohms.

www.classictbird.com

If you have a 1956 or a 1957 Thunderbird:

Coil - 12 Volt - Yellow Top - 1 Per car-classictbird.com

For bench testing: Resistance + to - on primary coil is about 1.5 ohms. Resistance from either + or - terminal to secondary coil (center tap) measured open on the multimeter we had. The resistance was too high to register. 90 DAY WARRANTY

www.classictbird.com

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Critterpainer]

I feel your pain. I just replaced my coil and realized that the one I replaced many years ago that was smaller in diameter. Back when I was dumb young I replaced it and had wrapped a bunch of stuff around it to fit the bracket. The new one from CASCO fits perfectly and works

I have waved a white flag. I cut a cardboard shim to fit the spare coil that came with my car to the bracket and then put a spacer under the bracket to get enough clearance so the coil won't bump the carb or the aluminum valve cover. I chose this coil as it was marked made in USA and had the correct resistance. The Carpenter reproductions, while they are the correct size, length and color do not have good feedback for function so I decided against paying a premium price for questionable reliability.

 

[CSPIDY]

Hello everybody! Forgive me my english please. Can you tell me how can I quickly contact with forum administration?

Pm biddle