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Author
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Topic: Confused with the Ballast Resistor
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buening
Gearhead Posts: 317
From: Decatur, IL
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 02-07-2006 08:15 AM
 
Ok, my car was originally set up for points and has the thick pink resistor wire that originally hooked to the positive side of the coil. I have since added the duraspark distributor and ignition box, along with an MSD Blaster coil. Reading the instructions, it states that if i were installing this coil with a points or stock style distributor that i need to hook the ballast resistor to the original positive coil wire. Isn't the pink resistor wire providing enough resistance or would a points style setup need more resistance to the coil, thus the ballast? Since my setup is a stock style distributor but is also electronic, how should this be hooked up? Ballast along with the pink wire, bypass the pink wire completely and no ballast, just the pink wire, or any combo of them? I've been running it with just the pink wire but the car has been running rough and this was brought up in another forum so i thought i would ask people that would know  Here is the MSD instructions: http://www.msdignition.com/pdf/8202_8222_8223_frm22698.pdf#search='msd%20resistor'Does stock style distributor refer to only points or does that include stock electronic distributors? ------------------
1970 Grabber Blue Mach 1 H-code
1970 Fastback
2003 Torch Red Mustang
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68 Coop
Gearhead Posts: 5847
From: Mesquite, NV. 89027
Registered: Oct 2004
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posted 02-07-2006 08:54 AM
Stock distributors came with points. The pink wire starts about an inch past the ign switch, so if you splice into it before there, just run a wire straight to the coil, and it's 12v at start-up. That's what I've seen on Pertronix anyway, so I hope it helps some.------------------
William
The easiest way to find something lost, is to buy a replacement. 68 Coupe
289
C4
2:79 rear gears
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Mark Ugrich
Gearhead Posts: 351
From: Waukesha, Wisconsin,U.S.A.
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 02-07-2006 11:14 AM
With an electronic ignition distributor, you don't need any type of resistance wire or ballast resistor.This may be why your encountering running problems.The resistor wire/ ballast are there in a point type ignition to reduce the voltage to the points in order to keep them from wearing out prematurely. 
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buening
Gearhead Posts: 317
From: Decatur, IL
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 02-07-2006 11:39 AM
Reason why i am confused is that i am hearing that the electronic ignitions don't need the resistance wires or ballasts, but ALL of the conversion diagrams show the stock pink resistance wire being used. The ignition box is getting the full 12V, as it is spliced in before the pink resistance wire but the coil is still getting the 6-9V from the resistance wire. Below is the diagram i used.http://www.mustangsteve.com/conversion.html ------------------
1970 Grabber Blue Mach 1 H-code
1970 Fastback
2003 Torch Red Mustang
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427Fastback
Gearhead Posts: 530
From: N.Vancouver.B.C
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 02-07-2006 01:05 PM
Stock Duraspark systems do use a resistance wire.GM HEI does not..I have seen Duraspark wired both ways and honestly dont think it matters.With a 40 year old resister wire you are probably better off by-passing it or at least checking its voltage..
I have the schematics showing the resistance wire in the Duraspark if anyone wants it.. Cory
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68 Fastback 427MR 4 spd.Deluxe interior,8000 tach,140 speedo,am/fm,tilt.
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f100cleveland
Gearhead Posts: 505
From: St. James, MN
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 02-08-2006 12:46 AM
I might be way off here, but if he's only putting 6-9 volts in on the coil side, won't that effect output? Lets say the coil has a windings ratio of 25:1. If 6 volts are applied, thats only 150 volts. At 9 volts its better, but still only at 225 volts but when you give it the full 12 or 14 volts, thats 300-350 volts coming out of the coil. Thats double of what the 6 volt would be putting out. I might be way way off here, but it was just a thought. ------------------
1982 Ford F100 2wd Shortbox. Powered by a 357 Cleveland w/ stuffed closed chamber 4v's and a Funnelweb. Full Roller c-6 trans with Gear Vendors Overdrive and 4.86 geared Detroit Locker equipped 9" rear. 329.1 RWHP and 299.3 RWTQ 1982 F100 351c 4v 1977 F150 460 Burnout Truck
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exlocal
Gearhead Posts: 1552
From: hacienda hts., CA, USA
Registered: Dec 2004
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posted 02-08-2006 11:43 AM
Now I'm confused too. I have a stock type distributor with the Unilite conversion points eliminator inside, Mallory coil and MSD6A box. I have a large ballast resistor next to the coil. ------------------
reliving youth
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Scott H
Gearhead Posts: 1480
From: Chicago area
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 02-08-2006 12:21 PM
If you have a resistance wire you don't add a ballast resistor also. That's double resistance and not desired.
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Mark Ugrich
Gearhead Posts: 351
From: Waukesha, Wisconsin,U.S.A.
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 02-09-2006 12:36 AM
I took the time to look at the stock ford wiring diagram and they do use a resistance wire in the circuit to the coil. I'm at a loss to explain why.A guess would be that the STOCK coil wasn't made to accept a direct 12 volts,or as a precaution if the key was left on for an extended period of time.It might be a good idea to call msd and ask them if their coil needs resistance in this case, either way use only one resistor, the wire or the ballast not both .Ideally if you can afford it,I would puchase a 6AL box, use the distributor as a trigger, eliminate the stock duraspark box and run a straight 12 volts.
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