Re: Killed my gauges

Posted by JWL On 2017/4/27 16:44:20

Trevor K. - Your mechanic may be mistaken about the coil wires being crossed. Unless changed, your 1955 Patrician has a positive grounded system. This means the positive (+) terminal of the coil is connected to the distributor. Most everything from 1955 on (except for Packard and maybe a couple of others) have a negative grounded system. For those vehicles with coils and distributors the negative (-) terminal of the coil goes to the distributor.

Your mechanic may have changed the coil wires to conform with the conventional method, but it will be incorrect.

Positive ground, positive coil terminal to distributor. Negative ground, negative coil terminal to distributor.

To differ with Fred: An incorrectly wired coil will result in a weaker spark and will most likely affect an engine's starting and performance.

JWL