get rid of my ballast resistor

More than one...

corbin5754 said:

Ok i have ballast resistor set up on my 460 this will be my 3rd resistor in a yr. Im running a pertronix flame thrower billet distributor d132800 and a accell super coil 140001 what kind of coil can i buy to where i wont need the ballast resistor anymore.

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There ts more than one ballast resistor. (maybe 6 different ones available at your neighborhood parts store).
What "value" or resistance does Accel recommend for their coil. Are you using Accel's ballast resistor?... The ballast resistor is used to reduce voltage to the coil. I think it was originally used to prolong "point" life, I'm not sure why the more modern systems even need one.... I know there were 9 volt coils that didn't need one, and I think GM used a "resistance wire" to accomplish the same thing.. Again, does Accel recommend a particular part number for their coil?? OR, are you using what Pertronix recommends? AND, are they different?

Ray

My new distributor i have says b.resistor is not recomended but the coil im running calls for a 0.85 resistor the resistor i bought to replace the one that is broke is right for my coil but i think id rather use a coil that doesnt need ballast resistor mabe a pertronix flame thrower 2 coil to matxh the distributor would be the way to go

Broke??

corbin5754 said:

My new distributor i have says b.resistor is not recomended but the coil im running calls for a 0.85 resistor the resistor i bought to replace the one that is broke is right for my coil but i think id rather use a coil that doesnt need ballast resistor mabe a pertronix flame thrower 2 coil to matxh the distributor would be the way to go

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Did the ballast resistor actually break? Or just cause the engine to die? Either way, apparently you had/have conflicting requirements between the dist. and the coil... Is the dist. a magnetic pick up, or an optical trigger? ......................BUT, yeah, just go with the different coil to match the dist. and be done with it..... I've ran the same ballast resistor since 1985...... Never an issue........
Ray

Yes i believe the resistor is broke the porciline is cracked on bottom where the it seals the coil wire. This will b my 3rd resistor the one that came with boat when i bought it dodnt last long the one i have now lssted 5 mo. Mabe i should return the new one i just ordered and get a coil that doesnt need resistor . Thanks for your help.

There is a major misconception that the ballast resistor is to protect the coil. Its is to prolong the life of the points that would fry in minutes if run on 12v.

The Flamethrower ignition does not ned a ballast resistor. If your coil frys because you take it out, you needed a different coil anyway. The coil only needs at least a .65 ohm rating to work with the Flamethrower without a ballast resistor. The 140001 Accel has a .7 rating.


I take it you bought the dizzy used, or it was in the boat when you bought it(which I am pretty sure is the case). Because it CLEARLY states on the second page under "wiring" in the instructions, #1. that they RECOMMEND removal of any ballast resistors or wires.
LINK: Petronix for dummies

Hey im still a rookie lol. No when i first boight boat it had a motorcraft distributor (points) upgraded to the pertronix dizzy new i know it said recommend but it did not say you cant use it either so i usex it cause that was all i knew at the time so im going to just return resistor and wire it without it. so with that resistor on there with my ddizzy was i hurting anything with it ran like that it was on there for about 4 mo.

corbin5754 said:

Hey im still a rookie lol. No when i first boight boat it had a motorcraft distributor (points) upgraded to the pertronix dizzy new i know it said recommend but it did not say you cant use it either so i usex it cause that was all i knew at the time so im going to just return resistor and wire it without it. so with that resistor on there with my ddizzy was i hurting anything with it ran like that it was on there for about 4 mo.

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I believe theEXACT words are TOO ACHIEVE OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE we recommend removal.
The only thing you hurt by leaving the ballast resistor in was your wallet everytime you bought a new one, and the spark potential you lost by not giving it the optimum power it can use.

Right on for the help ill get that straightenef out.