Installing MSD 2 Coil, should I use the supplied ballast resistor?
 

'69 T with conventional points ignition. I want to put in a MSD 2 coil and it suggests using their ballast resistor on points ignition. Is the grey resistor wire on the stock ignition good enough, or should I change it out? How can I check the stock wire to see if it is still good? All comments welcome. Thanks Russ

i'd use the resistor they supply. everyone that i know has used it. you can try it without it, but your car might just not start. that is the easy way to know if you need it or not.

as for checking the stock wire... the only way you could do that is with a multimeter. i found that the MSD coil made a BIG difference in my cars. it should be good in yours too.

good luck!


obin

The purpose of the resistor is to allow full energization of the coil during cold starts but reduce the current through the points gradually afterwards as it wrms up, increasing its resistance, thus cutting current through th points. As such each resistor is matched to a coil. Use the supplied resistor.

Am I correct when I assume the thick grey wire going from the pos contact to the coil to a 'Y' wire connector is indeed the resistor wire? It is only active once the car is running, as I disconnected it at one point and the car would fire up when the starter was on then die as soon as I turned from the starter to the run position on the ignition switch. The wire is very warm once the car is running. Should I just cut it at the ends and patch in the ballest resistor?
Sorry for the amateur electronics questions, I just messing up stock wiring unless I have to. Thanks again. Russ

WAIT A MINUTE!!!

"the wire is very warm while running". just a second there... is the wire brittle? does it look old? if so REPLACE IT ASAP!!! go spend $10 on a spool of auto-grade wire, and connectors, and crimp a new one.

you DO NOT want a fire starting there.

also, tomorrow i will go out to my 924 and take a pic of how i spliced the resistor in... if you want me to. if you do, just ask.

good luck!

obin

Yes, it is very warm.
It is a thick grey wire and I assumed it is a resistor wire they installed instead of a ballast resistor. I had a '71 Capri with the same thing. The wire is discolored and 32 years old, but current still flows. That's why I was wondering what the spec SHOULD be so I can test it with my Ohm meter.
I have no qualms about replacing it with a ballast, I just want to make sure I am replacing the right thing. Thanks. Russ

Obin;
If you dont mind please take a picture. Thanks for you tips. Russ

ok, no problem i'm writing myself a note. i'll take a pic when i get home (around 4:30pm EST today).

obin

russ,

check your e-mail. i just sent it.

good luck!

obin