Little changes were done for
classic truck ignition parts especially with electronic ignition systems. This type
was first used as standard equipment in 1975 to cope with the 50,000 mile emission
durability test mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Classic truck
ignition parts are responsible for producing the spark needed during combustion
process in the engine to ignite air and fuel mixture. For classic engines, a distributor
is used to determine when the coil will produce the spark. Later classic car models
utilize distributor-less ignition system in which the engine management computer
signals the coil when to fire. The spark produced passes through the spark plug
wires down to the spark plugs.
Classic truck ignition system is made up of two circuits, the primary and the
secondary. Ignition parts making up the primary circuit include the battery, ignition
switch, ballast resistor, points, condenser, primary coil and wires.
Wires connect the components together. The battery supplies the power needed
to run the whole system. Most classic cars have single battery but with modern
cars especially those with big audio systems and more electronic accessories need
a second battery. Ignition switch are buttons used to enable or disable the system.
Ballast resistors are used to reduce battery voltage usually from 12 volts to
9 volts. Voltage is the electrical pressure that causes electron movement into
the wire. Higher voltage needs more insulation to prevent electrons from leaking
into the negative side of the battery.
Points are mechanical buttons to turn on or off the ignition coil. To open it
distributor cam is used while a point spring on the other hand is utilized to
close it. Once the points close, electricity flows from the car' battery to the
ignition switch on the steering wheel onto the positive side of the primary coil
down the points and the ground. The ground is the area outside the wires. It also
refers to the negative side of the battery. Condenser is the protective covering
of the points to prevent burning out. Primary coil is responsible for producing
magnetic field and high voltage for the secondary coil.
The secondary circuit is made up of secondary coil, coil wire, distributor cap,
rotor, spark plug wires and spark plugs. Spark plugs are electrical components
that generate the spark needed to ignite air and fuel mixture. Spark plug wires
are insulated wires that transport the high voltage from the cap to the spark
plugs. Rotors are part of the car's disc brakes that produces friction to stop
the vehicle. Distributor cap are usually made from plastic to secure the high
tension wires in place. Secondary coils are the maker of high-voltage electricity
needed to produce spark.
