The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 6 Volt coil discharge resistor (D-R) or ballast ?

I have a 1950 Chevy 3100 1/2 tone truck, with a 216 c.i. in-line 6 and a 6 volt electrical system. Externally mounted on the outside of the coil is what looks like a condensor/resistor. I managed to break the wire and am looking to replace it. From what I could find on the Internet, it appears to be a discharge resistor. On the end of the resistor it has a "D-R", a number "1910147" and the marking "3mf". I found some other Internet info that refers to it (or something else?) as a ballast resistor. My understanding is that it supports the coil at start-up and low rpm's. Anyway.... wonder where I can get one?

D Winn,

Welcome to the Stovebolt. I was in Grass Valley three weeks ago and saw a old Stovebolt in a driveway across from the Holiday Inn Express....probably not yours though.

The little item on the coil bracket is a capacitor to reduce ignition noise in a radio. The D-R probably represents Delco-Remy and 3mf is the electrical rating in micro farads.

That item has no bearing on how the rig would run, it is for 'static' suppression only. A ballast resistor is a different item, not used on your old truck.

Stuart

Thanks for the info. Just wanted to make sure I didn't fry something since the truck has a simple on-off key and a push-pedal starter.