[jake_69ss]

Hi All,
On a 69 Chevelle there is a ceramic ballest resistor (I think that's what it's called) bolted to the firewall. It is currently disconnected but I think the wire from the coil (+) or the distributor went to it. My question is... is this resistor needed on a dual point distributor and what purpose does it serve? Also, if it is needed please let me know what wire goes through it!

Thanks!!

 

[Pat Kelley]

I'm not sure about a dual point but generally, yes it is desirable to have it. It lowers the voltage to reduce sparking at the points. This substantial increases the life of the points. In the starter solenoid, at least a stock one, there is a bypass that provides the full 12 volts to the points for starting. If all it right, you should see two wires to the + side of the coil. One from the starter and one from the resistor.

You can run without one but there is no performance advantage and the points will need to be change more often.

 

[M.Maner]

Jake do you have access to a voltmeter? If so find the positive wire to the coil turn the key to the on position and see what you have for voltage. If you find 12v or there about you will need the resistor as Pat suggested,if you find a 6 or 7 volt reading your car may have a resistance wire built into the wiring harness. I would have thought a 69 model would have had the resistance wire but I'm not sure. Good luck.
Mike

 

[Wolfplace]

Jake do you have access to a voltmeter? If so find the positive wire to the coil turn the key to the on position and see what you have for voltage. If you find 12v or there about you will need the resistor as Pat suggested,if you find a 6 or 7 volt reading your car may have a resistance wire built into the wiring harness. I would have thought a 69 model would have had the resistance wire but I'm not sure. Good luck.
Mike

=
Just to add, the points have to be closed when you do this test or you will see 12 volts regardless of how many resistors you have in line

 

[M.Maner]

Thanks for the reminder Mike.

 

[jake_69ss]

Thanks everyone for the voltage lesson. I'll use the volt meter and test the readings! :thumbsup:

 

[Keith Tedford]

Our '69s have the resistance wire in the harness from the fuse block. I still run the stock type points in our cars and they start and run just fine. When we bought our 396 car, it had an HEI distributor powered by the resistance wire. Despite what people say, the car started and ran fine. I bypassed the wire to get the full 12 volts that the HEI should have just to be safe. When the HEI died, I went back to the stock Delco distributor for the stock look. It works fine and is really no hassle at all.