Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

[Joe M.]

I see a 0.2-ohms stamped on the side of the ballast resistor sold by Corvette Central. It is my understanding that the original for 283 with single point system was 0.3-ohms. I assume that the 0.2-ohm ballast resistor is close enough to 0.3-ohms.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

3 Ohm ballast resistors are available and thats what GM specified. I have always used 0.3 Ohm so I would stick with them.

[Loren L.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

Why not blow the budget and buy a Judging Guide/Manual instead of the free Corvette Central Back Order Catalogue?

[Joe M.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

Loren, feel free to direct me to whatever ballast resistor information you feel is important from the JG/M that I have owned for 15 years.

[Donald H.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

Loren, I to would like to know what your comment means? my 59-60 TIM & JG states:

'Firewall mounted white ceramic ballast resistor attaches with either a phillips or a clutch-head screw. (Note: the ceramic has a notch under the terminal wire connection.) The cadmium plated bracket has a distinct "tang" at the end unlike current replacements which have a smooth arc. The attaching bracket or band has a U-shaped cut away on the vertical band adjacent to the attachment screw. The ballast resistor should not contain a "dot" or other marking used to distinguish ballast resistors of the same general configuration but with different resistance used with later coils.'

There is no picture or other information that I can find in the TIM & JG, so like Joe, I've had trouble finding specifics.

What I also found on researching the forums is that in 1963 Chevy released a TSB to recommend using the 1.8 ohm ballast versus the .3 due to buring the points. And I look at every swap meet, online and elsewhere but I'm not sure how to identify a correct original type. it's sort of hard to measure resistance accurately at a swap meet! I do not believe there is a part number on the ballast resistor?

Don

[Philip P.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

The 1958 service manual says the Igniton resistor should be 1.40 to 1.62 ohms. They may have changed it in 1960 but I have no data the supplement (passenger car) they use a resistive wire instead of the ceramic type of ballast resistor.

[Loren L.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

Sorry. I just react to citations of vendors as proof, ala the '62 only radiator side seals that now appear in catalogs as 58-62 items. The TSB you cite exists to inform workers of the markings so they could tell the difference between the two resistors. The judging manual is 100% WRONG for the high performance engines when it says "should not contain a 'dot'". 60 #2269 was the factory "photo car" for that year. Pictures of that car, taken in the week after its production (Jan 7), appear on pages 223, 250, 255 and 286. Courtesy of Noland, I have an enlargement of the photo (my car is 2272) on pg 286 and the dot on the resistor is clearly visible. I have personally shown this photo to the TL. I am unaware of how the matter is handled on the judging field.

[Joe M.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

1960 with single point set up used the 0.3 ohm ballast resistor with the 091 coil. When 087 and 202 coils were introduced, 1.8 ohm BR was used. So far in my search, I have only found 0.2 ohm reproduction BRs. There is a NOS for sale on ebay, but not willing to pay the price.

[Duke W.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

Originally all V-8 Corvettes through '62 had the 0.3 ohm ballast, but they were tough on points due to allowing higher primary current. GM released a service bulletin in '63 that recommended replacing the 0.3 ohm ballast with a 1.8, especially in cold weather.

As a running change the '63 250/300 HP engines got a 1.8 ohm ballast and the 087 coil. The original 0.3 ohm/091 coil continued on mechanical lifter engines, but in '65 all single point systems got the 202 coil with the 1.8 ohm ballast.

My recommendation is to replace the 0.3 ohm ballast with a 1.8. There is some question as to whether it is properly matched to the 091 and 107 coils, but it will definitely reduce primary current to lengthen point life and prevent a breakdown from burned points, which happened once to my '63 340 HP.

As long as the engine doesn't exhibit misfire with the higher resistance ballast, all should be okay.

Most ballast discussions revolve around appearance since there were subtle changes to the physical configuration over the years, but for '63-'64, the appearance of both the 1.8 and 0.3 ohm unit was the same. The only way to distiguish them is to measure the resistance.

Service replacements were identified with a "black dot" for the 0.3 and a "blue stripe" for the 1.8. Some say that these informal ID marks also applied to the parts installed on the production line, but I don't believe that was the case.

Duke

[Joe M.]

Re: Correct Ballast Resistor for 1960-283 single point

Duke, thanks for the explanation. I just checked the resistance of my BR and it is 1.8 ohms and I am running an 087 coil in my base 283 engine. I should be good to go. The only reason I brought all of this up is that I was going to purchase a repro that looked like the original 0.3 ohm BR. It had the square notches in each end. However, I believe the correct shape repro is 0.2 ohms based on what I see on the photo in the Corvette Central catalog. I will stick with what I have.