Question about coils

[rod99sts]

I have what may be a dumb question but if I don't ask who would know. Is it possible to hook up a coil backwards and it work? Or, if it does would it possibly work for awhile and then suddenly quit only to work again perfectly when the wires are reversed? My son's 302 in his 78 F150 seems to be doing this and I didn't think it was possible.

[MagicRat]

Yes, a coil will work with the pos. and neg. leads reversed. However, the spark will be very weak and may only allow the engine to run intermittently, as you describe.

[rod99sts]

Thanks, I appreciate it. It's wierd that it seems to run just fine for a week or so and then just quit all of a sudden. That's what had me flummoxed.