Posted by Ltdford72 (192.11.226.123) on March 19, 2001 at 10:16:50:
Anyhelp from you guys would be appreciated on the following item:
I have a full size ford '72 Ltd conv. w/400 ci engine. I have an aftermarket points conversion kit install with a high capacity coil. Car had run fine for quite sometime with this setup, now when I take a voltage read at the coil with key off it is 4.5 volts. With car running it measures between 7 and 8 volts. Engine seems underpowered.
I assume I should have anywhere between 9.5 to 11.5 volts when running to properly fire the ignition. Would the low voltage make engine seem to run weak? I assume that all older cars expeirence this problem as they age. What is the best fix? Could the ignition switch be the culprit? Could I wire in a relay between the ignition wire to the coil to bring the voltage back up? Has anyone else had this problem. Any help and diagnostic suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks again