The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Coil Resistor

Can anyone post or email a photo of where the coil resistor was originally installed. I failed to get a before photo and replaced my firewall. I remember it was close to the coil but would like to see some photos of the origina location.

which vehicle?
many didn't have a coil resistor, original circuit is the coil gets battery power through the ignition switch
-s

What make, size, year engine

Often on the firewall, with the input lead from the ignition switch.

Usually the ballast resistor is in the line/lead going into the coil.
The other lead from the coil goes to the distributor

Sorry for lack of information. Its a 52 chevy 3600. Yes it was mounted on the passenger side of the engine compartment firewall in line between the ignition switch and coil. Just being a perfectionist, I wanted to mount as close as possible to the original. Engine is 235.

In 1952 the engines didn’t need a resistor because they were originally 6 volts. Only 12 volt systems need a resister to reduce the voltage to the coil so they wouldn’t burn out the points. So to answer your question, a 52’ did not have an original spot where the resistor was mounted. Mine is mounted on the coil. I’ve seen others mounted to the passenger side firewall, as was yours.

You should also have a side terminal on you starter switch (solenoid) that supplies a full 12 volts when operating the starter for easier starting. You can see mine mounted on the top of the starter.

Here is mine on the firewall prior to me cleaning up under my hood. I didn't change the location, I just cleaned up the wiring. Mine is a 54 3100 and from what I have been told it was added as part of the 12v conversion.

Ballast resistors generate a lot of heat- - - -that's why they're in a ceramic housing. Mount one somewhere in the airflow from the fan and they'll last a lot longer before burning out.
Jerry

As Hot Rod Jerry says, that resistor gets real hot. So does the coil. Having them mounted together is a real bad idea and not necessary in my opinion.

New guy FancyT: You did not confirm that you have a 12V battery.

I painted mine black and mounted it low on the tow board so that tclederman would have to put on his glasses and wrench his back to find it (Love you, Tim)

I would notice the odd routing of that lead, and wondered why (for a few seconds).

Carl, I look forward to hearing your comment/jibes when you see my 1960 261 with a spin-on-cartridge full-flow oil filter, and a GMC AA1 2-barrel carburetor, and tacky dual exhausts. It does have an original to the AA1 GMC oil bath air cleaner.

I see you are in Florida so you can discard the ballast resistor and just use a resistor type coil. The exceptions are if your truck runs real hot or you don't keep it well tuned. My 37 Buick has been this way for over 30 years but it does have the 6v starter which really spins it over fast. In areas where it gets cold the 12v by-pass while cranking is needed but not in Florida.

Thanks bartamos and HRL for pointing that out. My truck came that way so I never realized it was a problem. Now to find a better spot to mount the resistor.

Well, as the gentleman which I have been known to be for 5 decades by everyone who has ever met me... Sorry i have to stop here. Too deep even for me.
I will likely feign disgust with a straight face, leaving you guessing whether or not if I am serious. THAT is my trademark for which I have been known for 5 decades by everyone who has ever met me.

IMHO if it's a 12 volt conversion. Go the way they did it on stock '60's, and use an OEM resistance wire from the starter. No muss, no fuss, and no "heat" to consider.

Chris