ballast resistor question

[don izzo]

can anyone tell me what the function of the ballast resistor is and if I install a hei distributor in my hot rod 350 ci motor will I still need the resistor?

Thanks

Don

[Steven C.]

Re: ballast resistor question

The ballast resistor drops the voltage to the coil from 12v, for a points-type ignition. You don't typically need or want it for an HEI ignition, which usually needs a full 12v to the coil.

Some cars used a ballast resistor inline of a regular wire, others used a special resistance wire which accomplished the same thing. Make sure you have 12v when your coil wire is switchewd on, for a GM HEI system.

Steve

[don izzo]

Thanks steve just what I thought *NM*