Triumph Repair: Wont start, water coolant, radiator fluid

Question
My 1979 Triumph was running great when I developed a leak in the small hose that feeds the heater. I fixed the hose, however, now the car won't start. The problem appears to be electrical and the heater hose connected the heater valve to the heater coil. This valve shares a mount with the coil, so the leaking fluid probably got on the coil. I dried the coil and checked the obvious stuff around it for lose wiring, however, no luck. Could the coil have been destroyed by the radiator fluid (the leak wasn't large)? Any thing below the coil that might be the problem? I read about "later" model Spitfires having six volt coils and resisters, how can I tell what mine is? If I use a 12V with this resister will a problem occur? Thanks in advance

Answer
Hi Fred,
The coil is called a 6v coil (1.3 to 1.5 ohm). It is required IF you have the original electronic ignition. If you have an aftermarket ignition system then you need to refer to that brand of ignition system for the specs of the coil etc.

Water can temporarily stop an ignition system form working, but once it is dried off, it should work again. Water/coolant dripping on a coil can not destroy it.

You do need to check to see that the coil is grounded correctly and that power and all wires go to where they are suppose to go and make good contact.
Howard