TI coil in a non TI car.

[Tim G.]

My 264 coil has left me stranded in my 1967 390 horse car, I have a spare 263 TI coil that I know functions properly. Should it be ok to use the 263 coil in a non TI car until I can source an original 264 coil that functions properly?

[Keith B.]

Re: TI coil in a non TI car.

good luck finding a 264 that is like finding a hens tooth. I would use common 202 or my dad got away with my 204 spare coil for my 66SS396 Chevelle in his 67 L36 after his 264 coil crapped out

[Dave S.]

Re: TI coil in a non TI car.

My 264 coil has left me stranded in my 1967 390 horse car, I have a spare 263 TI coil that I know functions properly. Should it be ok to use the 263 coil in a non TI car until I can source an original 264 coil that functions properly?

Tim,
Keith’s suggestion to use a #202 is a good one.
I agree that finding a #264 will be a tall order.

[Mike E.]

[Tim G.]

Re: TI coil in a non TI car.

Good advice, Mike. I have another '67 with TI and that's my spare for that car.

[Mark E.]

Re: TI coil in a non TI car.

I read on the internet (so it might be true) that most of these Delco Remy coils are functionally the same. The PN is for the coil and bracket assembly, with the bracket accounting for the differences (angle, height, condenser mount, etc.).

[Richard M.]

Re: TI coil in a non TI car.

Tim,

I would not recommend using that 263, especially if it's original. The 263 has a lower primary resistance and would eat more current coming out of your ballast resistor and may burn it up. I don't have scientific proof this could happen but I wouldn't want to be stranded 5 miles out from a cold start after the engine normalizes.

Now if in fact that IS a REAL 263, yikes, that's special. I'd keep that baby in a safe. And expect to get a bunch of PM's to take it off your hands.

SO another option..... Get yourself a NAPA IC12 and run that one in your 390 points ignition system until you get a 264 or 202 or whatever. You nay need to open the coil bracket a bit for the IC12 and use a longer screw, even a smaller diameter machine screw and nut would get you by until later. Just keep a bit of a air gap at the coil base to the manifold and it should work fine in the oven(shield..... lol).

Rich

[Duke W.]

Re: TI coil in a non TI car.

I don't know about the ballast, but the lower primary resistance may increase current enough to burn the points. It happened once to my SWC back in the sixties that had the 0.3 ohm ballast rather than the 1.8 and left me stranded. It never happened again and I didn't learn about the low resistance ballast until the seventies.

The NAPA coil is inexpensive and made by SMP. It's a good idea to have a spare coil as used OE and the repro stuff can be a crapshoot.

Duke

[Tim G.]

Re: TI coil in a non TI car.

Richard and Duke, thank you. That's what I was looking for. I'll use a lesser coil and keep my spare if I need a backup for my TI car.