Nate You've got it backwards, the starter by-pass of the resistor makes for better cold weather starting by increasing the voltage for a hotter spark. the resistor lowers the voltage (once the engine is started) from the ignition circuit, creating a colder spark. I assume Nick's truck is converted to 12V, I don't believe the 6V systems used a resistor. I may be wrong there. I have used the Petronics (sp) pointless ingnition on a couple of SBC motors, they eliminate the resistor. Nick you might want to consider this too.
Kurt 58 3100 Apache project the "Duracell Project" it keeps going... and going... >From: "vwnate1" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: old-chevy-truck@yahoogroups.com >To: old-chevy-truck@yahoogroups.com >Subject: [old-chevy-truck] Re: Ignition Ballanst Resistor >Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2005 13:54:59 -0000 > > > >Piffle . > >The only reson a ballast resistor is used is to improve cold weather >starting by allowing a hotter spark when the starter is operating and >thereby lowering the current to the coil ~ a non - ballasted ignition >system uses a different coil with an _internal_ resistor so the >points will in fact last the same . > >Ask any shop or dealer mechanic who's changed thusands of point sets >over the years , all last the same , ballasted or not . > >Old GM 6 cylinder engines are -so- easy to start they don't need all >this complication & extra wiring unless you live in cold weather >country . > >It _is_ a good thing to have on all V-ate engines IMO . > >-Nate > Kurt wrote: > > > > one item you might want to revisit is the wire going from the >starter to the > > resistor. points work best at low voltages, the higher voltage >makes hotter > > spark but will ruin the point fast. thus the insertion of the >ballast > > resistor to reduce the voltage while running. this wire should >connect to > > the same terminal as the + coil wire, it supplies higher voltage >and hotter > > spark while starting and then turns off with the starter to feed >power > > through the resistor. > > a good source for electrical advice is madelectric. anyone wiring a >vehicle > > should read up on the charge/run/distribution circuit at > > http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/chevymain1.shtml > > it shows you how and why the amp gauge works and how not to do it >too > > > > Kurt > > 58 3100 Apache project > > the "Duracell Project" it keeps going... and going... > > > > > > > > > > > > >From: "Nick's Yahoo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Reply-To: old-chevy-truck@yahoogroups.com > > >To: <old-chevy-truck@yahoogroups.com> > > >Subject: Re: [old-chevy-truck] Having a Moment - Ignition Wiring > > >Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2005 20:38:57 -0500 > > > > > >Okay Jeff. Thanks again. Did some more investigation on my >wiring and > > >here > > >is what I'll wind up with. > > >- Battery + to Starter Center Stud. > > >- Starter Center Stud to Amp Gauge "+" and one side of Start >Button. > > >- Starter "R" Terminal to one side Ballast Resistor. > > >- Other Side of Ballast Resistor to Coil +. > > >Amp Gauge "-" to Light Sw "Bat", Reg "Bat", Ignition Sw #1. > > >- Ignition Switch #2 to Gas Gauge, Coil "+", New Fuse Panel. > > > > > >Does all this sound right? If so, one last question. Is the >Starter > > >supposed to have a ground wire somewhere like shown on the original > > >schematic. > > > > > >Nick K. > > >51 261 3100 > > >74 454 Vette > > >Oak Island NC _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ Ole Chevy and GMC trucks rule! To unsubscribe, send an email (with no subject, no body, just the email), to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/old-chevy-truck/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/