Thread: Ballast Resistor? or Not?

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I bought 2 OEM distributors and gutted them. I added the petronix HEI adaptors along with the petronix 7mm wires and coil...all for the stock look. I am extremely happy with the performance and quality. I use them for drag racing and they are good to 6500 rpms. Maybe more but never shifted more than that.

Modern (HEI) ignitions do not need a ballast resistor; they can handle cranking and running voltage AOK.

Kitz

Originally Posted by kitz

Modern (HEI) ignitions do not need a ballast resistor; they can handle cranking and running voltage AOK.

Kitz

Question might be more acurately be, will running coils, external, that were designed for use with points, and ballast resistor on full 12 volts lead to coil failure? I know the dist doesnt need voltage drop. I am using aftermarket high voltage coil, in std round package. Don't really want to use the high voltage race type, as I was after the vintage points and coil look. With the firepower and reliability of hei. LOL. Although after 3 days of f.....ing with this thing I don't believe it's the coil. It was weak, but I have other, as yet undetirmined problem.