1944 Farmall H coil/external resistor

[lane valley]

I have a 1944 Farmall H that I bought with positive ground. I bought a 55,000 volt coil from steiners for it. It comes with an external resistor. There is no directions in the box. I was wondering, does the coil go before the external resistor or does the external resistor go before the coil. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 

[Wayne in MN]

Resistor goes first. However, if you are still 6 volt it is not needed.
Are you changing to 12 volts?
 

[CNKS]

Unless you are converting to 12 volts that coil won't help you any. Won't help anyway except for starting with 12 volts.
 

[lane valley]

No it is already a 12 volt system.
 

[CNKS]

You can get a true 12 volt coil and use it without the resistor, that is probably what you have now--if so I would send the new one back. 12 volt coils are sold by NAPA.
 

[lane valley]

I think it is a 12 volt coil. I can use it without the resistor then?
 

[John G. Hasler]

> Resistor goes first.

That"s conventional but it actually doesn"t matter unless you are using one of the solinoids that bypasses the resistor while cranking.
 

[Janicholson]

No, if it came with a resistor it sure needs it to work with 12volt charging system. It should be OK to use, but it is also true that the voltage is never going to be more than it takes to fire plugs (more like 10 to 14 thousand at the most) thus there is probably no need to use a hot coil unless you are running modified components in a puller. An electronic ignition module for the distributor can help make a hot coil like that work well while not burning out points. If you measure the amps when the ignition is on, and the engine is stopped (OK to do for a minute or so) the amps should be less than 4. If more the points will wear rapidly. Jim
 

[CNKS]

What Jim says. My point is that if your old coil is ok, the 50000 volts won't do anything for you, it's overkill.
 

[pete 23]

I notice you say it is positive ground. That is rather unusual if it has been converted to 12 volt system. Most would have a generator then that has been converted rather than an alternator. Anyway, you need the resistor before coil and if positive ground, positive terminal on the coil goes to the distributor. You can also put a bypass wire direct to starter switch bypassing resistor for better starting but that is another story.
 

[lane valley]

Thanks for the help