Re: Installing Elec Distributor in 64 Dodge

[Bill Watson <wwatson6@xxxxxxx>]

The ballast resistor supplies reduced power only to the ignition (coil). 
There is a separate volage limiter in the instrument panel for the gauges, 
usually a unit on its own but sometimes inside either the fuel gauge or the 
temp gauge.

On cars in the 1960's the supply for the instrument gauge voltage limiter 
came from the windshield wiper switch via an 18 gauge black wire.   That 
wire was connected at the wiper switch to a 16 gauge black wire that ran 
from the windshield wiper switch to the ignition switch, ACC connector. 
That way the windshield wipers, and the gauges, got power only when the 
ignition switch was in either ACC or RUN positions.

If you have a 12 volt coil and the distributor can handle a 12 volt input, 
you can bypass the ballast resistor.   The BR was originally installed when 
manufacturers went to 12 volt ignition.   The points could not handle 12 
volts and wore out very quickly.   The BR was placed before the coil to 
eliminate the need for a 12 volt coil.  And it was easier, and cheaper, to 
reduce the 12 volts of the car's electrical supply than to reduce the bumped 
up power put out by the coil.

There are four wires on the ballast resistor -

For the START side (power bypasses the resistor) :
BROWN (18 gauge) - from the ignition switch - START position
DARK BLUE (18 gauge) - to the coil

For the RUN side (power runs through the resistor) :
DARK BLUE (16 gauge) - from the ignition switch - RUN position
DARK BLUE (18 gauge) - from the voltage regulator - IGN

Bill
Vancouver, BC


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "SB" <polecat2@xxxxxxxx>
To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 9:09 AM
Subject: RE: Installing Elec Distributor in 64 Dodge


> Herb,
>
> I thought everything under the dash received its power from the welded
> splice connection that comes from the alternator charge wire?  I have
> completely bypassed the ballast resister in a number of cars I upgraded,
> with no ill effects.  I am not doubting you, just looking for
> clarification in case I am wrong.
>
> Thanks
>
>
>
> Herb wrote:
>
> > Note!!  Do Not just bypass the ballast resister as it also supples (the
> > other wire from the resister) reduced voltage to the voltage regulator
> > in your dash for the gauges.


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