1937 Terraplane ignition coil

sidevalve · June 2010

Hi - I don't know if y'all remember me - it's a couple of years since I posted, but there is a reason (read on!). I'm Alan Wesson in the UK, the guy who bought the ex-Duke Marley 1937 Terraplane from NC. The car is almost 100% original and almost 100% mint, but for the last three years I have been having a terrible time with it (which is why I stopped posting - I got depressed and demotivated, and as the car was stored away I couldn't even see it or drive it). I hasten to add that none of this is Duke's fault - mostly just 'age-related' issues. Anyway, I have had a top-end rebuild, a bottom-end rebuild, and then having to do the bottom end again because the guy messed up, followed by sundry breakdowns which were all caused by different things (carb / fuel pump / condenser, and now the coil). We have finally (knock on wood!) got the car running fine, but I have recently had to replace the coil, and as I couldn't get an NOS one here in England I bought a 'generic' one and we have fitted that temporarily. But I would REALLY love to fit the correct coil (I have slung it up by one of the horns temporarily, and we have wired the new one up without making any permanent changes).

Anyway, if anyone can help me locate the correct coil, I will be very grateful. And finally, I am hoping to be a much more regular participant on the forum, now that the car is fixed and out of storage. It really is the most incredible car! Cheers, and thanks in advance - Alan

Unknown · June 2010

ALAN, finding the original coil is about like finding an original car that has never been driven . Best use what you have and go on to other things . BUD

hudsontech · June 2010

If 'tis any help the coil number is IG-4644. For 1937 Terraplane and Hudson Six.

I also have a 1937 Hudson & Terraplane Group Parts book on my On-line library site - URL below. Scroll down to "Manuals", then down to 1937 Hudson-Terraplane......... (holding the mouse pointer over the link will bring up the full link at the bottom - at least on my computer. This manual is downloadable.

Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

http://hetclub.org/burr

Jon B · June 2010

Shouldn't be THAT hard to find an original. In my "1937 notes" I have written that the 1936-42 Chrysler Six, and Plymouth, use the same coil, so they're out there. The true original would have a recessed top with two metal ears sticking up, which hold the round cover plate in place. (This is the cover that is part of your shielded flexible conduit coming from the ignition switch, which holds the ignition wire). Aftermarket coils often had "universal" fittings at the top: metal collars that screwed to the coil and were specificially made to hold the cover plates from particular makes and years of car. These might not be totally "factory" but they would be 'of the era'. In a pinch, of course, you can use a modern 6 volt coil and adapt it to work, until the real thing comes around.

PS -- I first laid eyes on your car back in the 70's when Mr. Many of New York, owned it. It is a real gem, a time machine. I particular like the little accessory doo-hinkey on each side of the cowl, that flips out and holds the hood open. I drove it maybe 4-5 years ago just before Duke sold it to you, and was impressed at how soft the ride was. My '37 is very tightly sprung and I feel every pebble on the pavement!

Unknown · June 2010

Well now , I'm the fella said you could'nt find one of these . GUESS WHAT !! Was going thru my bin of "better save thats" and low and behold there lies one !!! Don't know if its any good , will have to hook it up and find out if it will run an engine . BUD

sidevalve · June 2010

Hi Jon - sorry about the delay replying (been away delivering customers' cars for a few days). Anyway, you have got me curious, because I'm not sure what you mean about the things on the cowl for holding the hood open! Either they have been taken off since then or I haven't worked out what they are! Can you give me a bit more info? Duke always used two sawn-off golf club handles to hold the hood open, and as he gave me these with the car I still use them. If you want to see some slightly more up-to-date pictures of the car I have a webshots album that I post them in, and I will post the link soon. I am trying to keep the car as it was during Duke's ownership and make sure it stays as perfect as possible! Cheers and thanks - Alan

sidevalve · June 2010

...and hi Bud! Also sorry about the delay, but very grateful for your coil reply, and if you do have one and want to part with it I shall be very grateful! I have a friend in NC (right near where Duke lives), and so if you end up mailing it to me it only needs to go to there (Greensboro) rather than all the way over the pond, because I am coming over for Hershey and I always get my eBay stuff and spares sent there, and then just bring the whole lot over at once to save on shipping costs. Cheers and thanks (with fingers crossed!) - Alan

sidevalve · June 2010

...and also thanks Alex! I shall be visiting your online parts book forthwith! It is great that there is such good online support for us Hudnuts! Cheers, and thanks again - Alan

[Deleted User] · June 2010

Hi Alan---Just some friendly advice should you find an original one, leave it. Those old coils will not hold up from sitting so many years. A modern one is your best bet due to the heat generated under the hood of an old car. For trouble free driving, I recommend placing the coil in the passenger compartment to get it away from the under hood heat. This is the way I have my 37 set up. Cheers---Cliff Minard

sidevalve · June 2010

hudson8 wrote:

Hi Alan---Just some friendly advice should you find an original one, leave it. Those old coils will not hold up from sitting so many years. A modern one is your best bet due to the heat generated under the hood of an old car. For trouble free driving, I recommend placing the coil in the passenger compartment to get it away from the under hood heat. This is the way I have my 37 set up. Cheers---Cliff Minard

Thanks Cliff - and that's actually a pretty good idea. I want to keep the car looking as stock and original as I can, and if I conceal a coil under the dash behind the radio position in front of the driver it will be pretty unobtrusive, reversible, and I can keep the old one in place for that 'period' look. Thanks again and best wishes - Alan

hudsontech · June 2010

Allan, now I'm going to toss a monkey wrench into the works!!!

Was going thru my "stuff" the other night (I got lots and lots of stuff hidden away here and there) and I found an interesting 2-page document "Equipment and Test Data for Auto-Lite Equipment on 1937 Hudson and Terraplane Six." So far, so good.

At the bottom is a little blurb titled CABLE DATA and this is followed by "Technical and other data concerning Ripaults Cables are given in the latest Ripaults Catalog obtainable from - ready for this - Ripaults Ltd., Southbury Road, Enfield.

Now comes the fun part - the components shown are all 12 volt!!!

Generator - GCT4802A

Distributor - IGWA4013A

Voltage Regulator - VRF 4001A

Starting Motor - MAY4013

Solenoid Starter Switch - SS4003

Battery - Exide 12 volt, Type 6XCM11-1, eleven plates

Ignition Coil - CF4628

Service Ignition Coil - CF3224S

Drop me and email @ NEChudsontech09@yahoo.com (Drop the NEC) and I'll fire a copy of this little jewel to you directly.

Of course I knew that Hudson electrical systems in 1939 were 12 volt - so it figures that 1937 and other years are/were probably also 12 volt. I discovered this little fact (about 1939) from a magazine ad I had way back when the world, and I, were a tad younger.

NOTE to Jon B - there's a fact you can win a beer with as in "when did Hudson use a 12 volt electrical system". I doubt very many know.

Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

http://hetclub.org/burr

1937 Terraplane ignition coil

Comments

Categories

In this Discussion