Pertronix Flame Thrower Distributor

[mpro69rr]

I have a new pertronix dist for my newly built 383 and in the instructions it says I have to remove the ballast resistor. Do I just remove it and solder the wires together? Is there a way I can keep it there and make it look stock?

Thanks!

 

[Jerry Hall]

I have a new pertronix dist for my newly built 383 and in the instructions it says I have to remove the ballast resistor. Do I just remove it and solder the wires together? Is there a way I can keep it there and make it look stock?
Clean out the back and solder a solid wire between the terminals.

Thanks!

 

[dadsbee]

Yep, as Jerry says.. just take a spare, cut the resistor out of the back and replace it with a piece of wire. Pics show the parts.. apart. Cut the resistor out and reuse the tabs, then put the stuff back into the heat sink block.

 

[mpro69rr]

Yep, as Jerry says.. just take a spare, cut the resistor out of the back and replace it with a piece of wire. Pics show the parts.. apart. Cut the resistor out and reuse the tabs, then put the stuff back into the heat sink block.
View attachment 922603 View attachment 922604 View attachment 922605 View attachment 922606

Thank you that's exactly what I needed!

 

[dadsbee]

Just pics I had when I restored my OE ballast. So remove the resistor and replace it with a solid piece of #10 or similar.

 

[Ranger16]

Personally, I'd leave the ballast resistor in place. It will extend the life of your coil.

"What does a Mopar ballast resistor do?
In simple terms, the ballast resistor in a Mopar limits the amperage, or current flow, through the coil while the engine is running, thereby extending the life of the coil and breaker points of the distributor."

Here are just a couple more interesting articles about it. Draw your own conclusion.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-1110-ballast-resistor-guide-ballast-blast-off/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/electronic-ignition-units-ballast-resistors.816664/

 

[twinscrew698]

I have to ask whether or not they make a distributor with the OE look of a Factory dist Cap yet?
All the ones i seen do not and look like a GM setup.
Am i looking at the wrong ones?

 

[mpro69rr]

I have to ask whether or not they make a distributor with the OE look of a Factory dist Cap yet?
All the ones i seen do not and look like a GM setup.
Am i looking at the wrong ones?

I don't think they have one that looks stock.

 

[twinscrew698]

I don't think they have one that looks stock.

Ok Thanks for the reply

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Personally, I'd leave the ballast resistor in place. It will extend the life of your coil.

"What does a Mopar ballast resistor do?
In simple terms, the ballast resistor in a Mopar limits the amperage, or current flow, through the coil while the engine is running, thereby extending the life of the coil and breaker points of the distributor."

Here are just a couple more interesting articles about it. Draw your own conclusion.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-1110-ballast-resistor-guide-ballast-blast-off/
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/electronic-ignition-units-ballast-resistors.816664/

Petronix needs 12V to run properly. That's why they recommend their coil also

 

[Ranger16]

Ahh, THAT'S why all the confusion. Thanks.

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Anytime. They are great but can have issues when they do not have 12 volts and a 72 up coil also.

 

[Dibbons]

I still run the ballast resistor on my '72 SSP because I replaced the OE distributor during a road trip and left it that way. Seems to run fine except:

With the ignition points distributor, when warm, the motor would start instantly as soon as I turned the key.

With the Pertronix, it takes a second or two to start when warm.

If I remember correctly, looking at the voltage chart Pertronix provides on their advertising/web site, it looks to me that a points ignition actually provides more voltage at very low RPM, then the pointless systems jumps right up and bypasses the point distributor like no tomorrow.

 

[Dibbons]

The chart I was talking about compares points with Pertronix II (they sell three versions: I, II, III)