35 ford 12v i have an external ballast resistor can i get rid of this thing and put a coil with internal ballast...just asking im not having any problems except this thing seems to be getting hot its a flathead bone stock.....what does this thing do anyway...im guessing lower the voltage to the dist?????
Ok thanx its not giving me any problems so i guess i will just leave it alone you know. "if it works dont fix it" just tryin to clean up some of the wiring....
If you want to be really slick, and want to eliminate the resistor to clean up the look, this is ***uming that you are running a points distributor. I have done this, get a Bosch coil from an old 6,or 8 cylinder Mercedes. Anything from before around 1974. That is about when they went electronic. Also a coil from a BMW 6 will work fine. As long if it has points ignition. The Bosch coils are VERY high quality, and have an internal resistor. No need for the external resistor. These coils rarely ever fail. Sometimes the are light blue in color, just scuff it, and paint it whatever color you like. They are available new for a reasonable price from various supplyers like Rock auto. Or just go to the junkyard. I have been using these Bosch coils for years on American cars with great results. Just make sure it is from an 8 or 6 cylinder car. Good luck.
LOL as a mechanic in the army way back when, our unit had CUCV ambulances (chevy trucks with a box on em), very messed up eletrics, half 12 volt half 24 volt. on the firewall there were 2 BIG resistors. I had a medic/driver fill out his preventative maintence and checks sheet with "round things behind the motor get hot" and he deadlined his truck. I checked off his deadline and wrote "YEP" and returned the truck to service.
I'm probably the only one that likes them. It seemed to me that there was always a ballast resistor mounted on the firewall on all the old hotrods that I grew up with. I was tickled when I found out that the Chrysler electronic ign system uses one. I put it right where they always were. I'm using a reproduction 57 Ford resistor for the same system on my 352 in my 56. The original 57 has a heat shield with cooling holes and is mounted vertically on the intake manifold. That's where I put it right out in plain sight. It's going to be interesting how many people notice it. Probably none.
If you go with the internal ballast resistor type of coil you will not be able to byp*** the resistor when starting (gives full 12V at start). The external resistor allows you to byp*** using the I terminal on the starter relay.
Was about to comment the same thing. Could become harder starting if you eliminate the ballast and go strictly internal.
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