How many amps go through a coil wire
 

Just a quick question, does anyone know how many amps go through the coil wire on a SC. I plan on relocated my coil, actually just flip upright, but this will require a longer wire. So I figured I would buy another coil wire and splice the 2 together.

not many -- your problem is the very high voltage involved, as well as RF issues.

I dunno exactly what the voltage is, but will be in the kV range -- somewhere less than 50 KV, which is what the plug insulators can easily withstand.

I would buy a long coil wire and NOT do any splicing. You can buy bulk wire and put ends on yourself. Search and you'll find various posts on what to buy and how to put them on.

Besides wire wears out (so would you with kilovolts going thru your body all the time). I'd figure on replacing all the wires every 20 or so years. How old is the current coil wire?

With no or little load (e.g. idle), secondary voltage is around 4kV. Under load, depending on mechanical factors and other variables, around 15 kV and up.

As Randy suggests, use continuous, insulated high tension wire. Spliced wire means compromised insulation at the joint. Accidentally moving your hand around that area could present a convenient ground path and a high-voltage pubic hair curl.

Sherwood

I figured splicing wouldn't be ideal, but I had previously posted this question on another thread I had started and no one replied as to where to buy just a coil wire that would be longer than stock. My issue is that my coil has start to ever so slowly leak. This of course is exaserbated by the coil pointing down. The coil has no evidence of being banged near the top. I figure if I turn it upright this problem would stop.
As for the age of the wires, they are original. The car was built in Oct. 1982 so the wires are a solid 24, approaching 25 yrs old at this point.
Should I buy a new set and use one of the old sparkplug wires to make a custom coil wire?
Thanks for your replies

I'm from NH, but as frugal as we are, we'd replace the wires and coil in this situation. :D
-Chris

Are you talking primary (12V side) or output (HV) side?

the coil wire I am talking about goes from the coil to the dist. cap.

I guess if no one else has had this leaking coil problem, then I guess it's just this particular coil. I am just puzzled as to why it would start leaking. Again there doesn't appear to be any signs that the top edge was ever hit. I already have a spare coil on hand, but I was hoping to keep it as such, a spare. I figured that since the present coil is working, why replace it. Though I know that anymore loss of fluid will kill the coil. Also BTW when I say "leaking", it's more like seepage. I just assume get the most out of this particular coil and that turning it upright would stop the seepage, hence, extending it's life versus the way it is now.
I will buy a new wire set, but if the new set has the same length coil wire, I will still be in the same situation. Hence my inquiry about sourcing a longer coil wire.

Please listen to Chris. Your coil is shot. Get a new one.

^^^^ Yes ^^^^ Read the post above.

Save yourself being stranded somewhere.

Well I guess what I can do, is put the "spare" in and use this "leaking" one as a back up.

If you're looking for a reason why the coil is leaking, perhaps an internal short caused the coil to overheat. The internal pressure thus created could have sprung a leak in the case. However, if it oozes oil, the coil is NG.

As for a longer coil wire, you could purchase a length of spark plug cable, terminate both ends accordingly and use that, or repurpose some previously used spark plug wire that otherwise checks out okay.

A new set will contain the same length wires you have now, but with a replacement coil, you won't need the extra length.

Sherwood

the coil will not last forever - your body can continuously repair itself and it too will give out after a few decades.

just as others said, replace all the high tension wiring AND the coil - search on leaking + coil to see other examples, and the msd one to use (it seems you cannot buy a decent Bosch coil anymore)

"where to buy just a coil wire that would be longer than stock"
- just buy some bulk wire and fab it up

again, many threads on that.

also threads on the "best" brand of coil wire to buy... I'd buy any quality wire - Belden for example.

Now, what else is made out of rubber and has never been replaced on your car???

Here is a thread to keep you busy for a few years:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/189572-long-term-commonly-neglected-maintenance-post2955054.html#post2955054