What if you reverse polarity on coil?

[pachecoj]

I was replacing my spark plugs/wires/etc. for the first time this weekend when I noticed something odd. The ignition coil had two wires going to it ( ignoring the coil wire going to the distributor cap ) one red and one black.

The black wire goes from the distributor housing to the positive terminal of the coil. The red wire is coming in from the main wiring harness and goes to the negative side of the coil.

I referred to the wiring diagram for my car (1971 Comet) and it appears that they are indeed hooked up backwards. The car has been running fine and I would think that it would run like crap (or not at all) if the wires were backwards.

Jason

 

[Axle Roads]

One vote for no damage. I did that a few months ago, after upgrading to the blaster 2 coil. I installed it, and started playing with the momentary starter switch, yada yada yada. I couldn't get the car started and and suspected I broke the new coil. So, I took it back to the shop to have it tested. It checked out fine. I got home and realized the mix-up while re-installing.

 

[pachecoj]

But you couldn't get it started. Mine has been running in this configuration since I bought it a year ago. And I haven't noticed any issues, but I'm relatively certain it is hooked up backwards.

Jason

 

[rbohm]

8) the car will run with the coil leads reversed, but when they are installed correctly it will use less electricity to make the same voltage, and will probably run better than it does now.

 

[Axle Roads]

What kind of coil is it? Stock, oil filled? I switched to the one recomended in the Falcon handbook. Perhaps the diffrences in our experiences are explained by the diffrences in our coil.
I supose you will reverse the wires soon. Let us know if you notice any changes in performance.

 

[Lazy JW]

The coil is designed to work with "correct" polarity and is slightly more efficient but the engine will run fine either way. You won't notice any significant difference in performance until you start pushing the limits of the coils ability to fire under adverse conditions (heavy loads, WOT). Then the coil will not be able to fire the plugs when it needs to develop maximum voltage. Under moderate use it won't even be noticeable.
Joe