Smoking Resistor

thanks,
Rich

6 Volt coil... use original ballast resistor, PLUS 6-to-12 Volt converting resistor... about 1.6 Ohms. You do NOT need the "trick" .5 Ohm resitor with this setup.

12 Volt coil... use a .5 Ohm 20 watt "Dell's trick current limiting resistor" and DISCARD the original ballast resistor.

How do you tell if the coil is 6 or 12 Volts if it's not marked?

Check the primary resistance, if you have access to an ACCURATE Ohmmeter.

A 6 Volt front-mount coil will have a primary resistance of about 1 Ohm, a 12 volt front-mount coil will have a primary resistance of about 2.5 Ohms.

(Check resistance between the primary stud terminal on the top, and the "coil spring thingy" underneath the coil.)

NOTE:

New ballast resistors WILL smoke until some oily residue that seems to always be present on them burns off.

I suspect, if it got REALLY HOT, really quickly that you may have a 6 Volt coil.

Note, also, if the engine were to be turned over a bit, the points will open, and no primary ignition current will flow, and there should be NO heating of the resistor while the engine is stopped, and the points are OPEN.

I don't have an ohmmeter, but basing it sheerly on the fact that other than the alternator and battery, everything i've found to date on it is 6V, i'm going to assume it's the 6V coil too. Where do I aquire 1.6 ohm the 6-to-12 Volt converting resistor and part number? Also, do I put in in-line from the wire that is running to the coil from the existing ballast resistor?

thanks,
Rich

Yes, you put it in series with the original resistor. If it turns out you HAVE a 12 Volt coil, no harm will be done by using the extra resistor, except the spark may be too weak to fire the plugs.

Here's a link to some diagrams: (The 5th one from the top will probably be closest to what you have.)

• Diagrams

thanks,
Rich

Soundguy

going through lots of old posts, I have come to the conclusion that part is indeed a 1.6 ohm. Appears the solution was in my grasp all along. When I buy parts, I buy two of everything whether I need it or not. 1 for replacement and 1 for 10 years from now when I forget what and who I bought the stuff from.

thanks again,
Rich

Jeb