Ignition coil wiring

[MikePic30]

Ok, my first post so be gentle.
Bought a 79 a couple of years ago. Lately I have been having problems with the coil wire leading to the distributor heating up and causing it to run very rough.
I have replaced the coil wire 3 times. Afterwards it will run for a while then act up again. Switching out the wire seems to help temporarily.
When I bought it she had an early 70's 460 installed, only ID on the block is what is clearly an aftermarket plate on the lower left side with "72-79 FD 460" stamped on it. I also was able to locate "D1VE-A2B" cast into the block. From what I can tell it came from a 71 Lincoln.
The distributor has been switched over to what appears to be a 78-78 pointless unit; has an after market Accel coil.
Only two wires feed to the coil, one red going to the neg terminal which appears to come from the ignition module and one green coming off the positive terminal which appears to go over to the starter relay.
During my investigation of the ongoing issue I have found that with key on / engine off the negative side of the coil is hot. Is this correct?
Any suggestions.

 

[johnnyreb]

Ok, my first post so be gentle.
Bought a 79 a couple of years ago. Lately I have been having problems with the coil wire leading to the distributor heating up and causing it to run very rough.
I have replaced the coil wire 3 times. Afterwards it will run for a while then act up again. Switching out the wire seems to help temporarily.
When I bought it she had an early 70's 460 installed, only ID on the block is what is clearly an aftermarket plate on the lower left side with "72-79 FD 460" stamped on it. I also was able to locate "D1VE-A2B" cast into the block. From what I can tell it came from a 71 Lincoln.
The distributor has been switched over to what appears to be a 78-78 pointless unit; has an after market Accel coil.
Only two wires feed to the coil, one red going to the neg terminal which appears to come from the ignition module and one green coming off the positive terminal which appears to go over to the starter relay.
During my investigation of the ongoing issue I have found that with key on / engine off the negative side of the coil is hot. Is this correct?
Any suggestions.

The Accel coil will have more juice going through then a factory coil. Which could burn the coil wire going to the distributor. Get a regular coil and your problem should be solved.

 

[L\Bronco]

Hey Mike, congrats on the 79! Best one ever!
Typically green is the trigger signal from the module. (Ground) and should be on the neg side of the coil, while red is usually the 7-12 volt feed to the coil. (Pos)
Sounds like the primary wires at the coil are reversed.
As far as the coil wire goes, check the cap button inside and the rotor terminals, (too much gap here could cause coil wire issues)
Good luck!
Cheers