Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

[Brooks G.]

Guys, I just found out that my ballast resistor is wrong on my '56. Does anyone carry a repro that will judge correctly or is there possibly a way to make the later resistors look like early ones? I don't have a picture but I am referring to the notches molded in the ends which '55 and '56 don't have. Thanks in advance! Brooks Glover (2141)

[Jack H.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Sorry, Charlie, the factory original tooling for the early version of the ballast resistor's ceramic died LONG ago! There is NO reproduction source for the early version of the ceramic and houses that supply ceramics (Coors used to be one such place) want an arm & leg in tooling $$$ plus a HEAFTY annual volume commitment for resulting piece parts to get one from here to there...

There are TWO considerations on the early cars ('58 and prior) for which there's really no reproduction answer: (1) the geometry of the ceramic, and (2) the specific geometry of the mounting band that surrounds the ceramic.

My advice is to buy the current repro and simply live with the minor originality deduction during judging...

[Jeff A.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

can someone post a picture of this elusive resistor.
I would like to see if I have any stashed away.

are they valuable?

[John H.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

can someone post a picture of this elusive resistor.
I would like to see if I have any stashed away.

are they valuable?

Jeff -

I believe this is the "no-trough" resistor Brooks is looking for (no, I don't have one - just the photo).

[Jeff A.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Thanks John,
If it is the same one used on the 55-57 full size Chevrolets - I might have a shoe box full of them somewhere.

[John S.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Thanks John,
If it is the same one used on the 55-57 full size Chevrolets - I might have a shoe box full of them somewhere.

you will have resistors that look correct, but will not read correct when you put a ohm meter on it. your passenger car resistors will read 1.8 ohms. a corvette resistor will read .3 ohms.

[Duke W.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Yeah, but judging doesn't measure ballast resistance - just visual and both are probably the same visually.

Corvettes got the 0.3 ohm ballast for more ignition energy, but burned points were a not uncommon problem.

If one could find a cosmetically correct 1.8 ohm ballast, that's what I'd recommend, but if it's 0.3 ohms, use "heavy duty" points like NAPA Echlin CS786 that have greater contact pad area than the "standard" CS86. The above applies to single points distributors.

Dual point distributors used the same points as the inline six, but I don't know if there's an HD version. Someone else can research that.

Duke

[Edward M.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Is this the correct resistor?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/56-57-58-59-60-61-62-63-64-CORVETTE-BALLAST-RESISTOR-/140510770270?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20b718345e

[John S.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

[quote=Duke Williams (22045);538344]Yeah, but judging doesn't measure ballast resistance - just visual and both are probably the same visually.

Corvettes got the 0.3 ohm ballast for more ignition energy, but burned points were a not uncommon problem.

the passenger car and corvette are identical visually and you are right that it is probably better to have the 1.8 ohm resistor because it is easier on points. one other item to watch for is some resistors have a boss on the underside where the bolt hole is. i think they were used on dodges and they have ohm readings of 2.3 ohms and greater.

[Edward M.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

or this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-1957-Corvette-Ballast-Resistor-1956-/300516969900?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item45f8350dac

[John S.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Is this the correct resistor?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/56-57...item20b718345e

the troughs going all the way to the end are wrong and on the 56 the C cutout might not be correct. i know the 55s had no cut out in the band.

[John S.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

or this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-...item45f8350dac

this is correct for 56. correct trough on top and correct indent on band. ( 1955 solid band, 56 and 57 half moon indent, 58 into the sixties has U cutout on band.)

[Richard M.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Yeah, but judging doesn't measure ballast resistance - just visual and both are probably the same visually.

Corvettes got the 0.3 ohm ballast for more ignition energy, but burned points were a not uncommon problem.

If one could find a cosmetically correct 1.8 ohm ballast, ................

Duke

How about adding a 0.36000000000000004 ohm, high power jobber' in parallel, underneath the ceramic 1.8 ohm, hidden away and you're good to go. ....Rich

Parallel resistance calculator

[Dan D.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Just a small word of wisdom on ballast resistors. Used resistors usually exhibit corroded wire connections. The resistor element wire terminal is just sandwiched under the nut. Even a small amount of additional resistance is significant when you are talking about a 1 ohm part to begin with. Just tightening the screws is not enough to punch through the crud. Make sure you clean them well. -Dan-

[Jack H.]

Re: Ballast Resistor for 1956 Corvette

Finding a 7.5 Watt rated resistor with that low of a resistance value which will physically 'sandwich' into the back side is about as common as hen's teeth!

If you really WANT to cut 'er down to 0.3 Ohm, then simply short circuit the appropriate number of winds of the nichrome resistor wire that's embedded in Saurisen. PS, do NOT use solder to effect the short circuit! Under worst case conditions, it'll heat/melt. Use a butt/crimp connection...