C1 091 Coil

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

I need an 091 coil for my 1960. The GM "Renovation" Parts coil is carelessly made as so many of their parts are and the 091 12V, which is supposed to be near the bottom of the can, is at the top instead! This is easily seen during judging. I don't want to spend good money on that.

So, since the correctly located 091 12V is hidden by the coil bracket anyway, I am wondering if I could use another original coil with a different number and just hide it under the bracket.

But I don't know why so many different part number coils were used or whether a different one can be substituted without causing a problem. Any comment on whether it is electrically okay to use a different coil?

Thanks,

Bob

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 091 Coil

coil with # different than 091 will almost certainly function but judges will ask you to loosen coil bracket for judging. go junkyarding--you may find an original 091 lurking under the hood of late 50's/early 60's GM brands.get one WITHOUR bosses on bakelite tower. good luck, mike

[Dave S.]

Re: C1 091 Coil

Bob,

There is conflicting information on the location of the 091 embossment. There is a Restorer article that concludes that the 091 should/could be above center for some applications. Lack of shoulders and pin holes for the tabe are another trait of the early coils.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 091 Coil *NM*

[Jack H.]

If you find an '091 on a scrap yard car...

you'll have struck the ***** load! From a Chevy viewpoint it was used in three other applications that are as rare or rarer than Corvette!

(A) Turbo charged Corvair
(B) Chevy 348 with solid lifter or tri-power
(C) Chevy 409

Good luck finding one! Now, once in a great while you will get lucky as some parts DID 'wander' from their factory original configuration over time. But, in the +15 years I've been walking the yards, I came across ONE which says your time is probably better spent elsewhere...

[Brad K.]

Re: If you find an '091 on a scrap yard car...

Keep in mind that if you use another numbered coil that numbers are not the only thing that's judged. The top of the coil is very visible and MOST coils do not have the detail that Roy's photo shows. That kind of detail is what the judges are looking for on the 091 coils.

[Dave Suesz]

Have you

tried MaryJo? I got an excellent 086 from her, looks perfect, including the bakelite top, silver case, and lettering. What's more, it works perfectly, too. The car has never run as well as it runs now. I have that "repro" coil, the original ballast, the big Mallory RFI condenser on the distributor, RFI shielding on the distributor lead, and Echlin points and condenser inside the cap.

[Ray C.]

Re: Have you

I have an original 091 coil on my 61 270HP. Would it be a good idea to use a different coil for cursing and install the 091 for judging?

Ray

[Gene M.]

Re: Have you

Ray, Why would you remove the correct coil to drive it? Thats like changing the generator or the transmission to drive it.........

[Clem Z.]

a 40 year old coil is like 40 year old tires

you are running on borrowed time.

[Ray C.]

Re: Have you

Gene, I can repair the generator and the transmission, but I have never heard of a coil restoration/repair service. I was just curious if it might be a good idea to use the original coil for judging and use an aftermarket coil for cursing (I have an aftermarket 091 in the 63). I do try to get the cars out as much as possible, I really enjoy driving the Corvettes.

See you at Tech. Session.

Ray

[Bob B.]

Re: C1 091 Coil

Dave,

That would be nice so I could use the repro. I have the coil that came in the car from the factory. It has the 091 toward the bottom. Problem is it overheated and the bottom expanded and the top cracked when I had the ignition switch on (and car not running) doing some other stuff! But if anyone can state that the cars came with 091 at the top or the bottom, that would be great. Also, the Judging Guide says it is at the bottom.

Thanks,

Bob

[Dave Suesz]

Hmmm...

If so, I've borrowed a lotta time with the coil on my '66 Mustang 289HP engine- I had an "incorrect" NAPA coil on it in 1984, and one day I spotted a correct original on a '66 6 cyl engine on a scrap heap, and put it on my car. 200,000+ miles later, it's stll working just fine.

[Bob B.]

Re: C1 091 Coil

Roy,

My original coil that came on the car has much finer lettering than the one you show. Tell me how you post a photo and I'll post it.

Thanks,

Bob

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 091 Coil "BOB"

you need a sight on the web to keep pic, just e-mail me the pic. and I can post it braatz@fsaccess.net