C2 Ballast Resistor

[Gary B.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

So close, yet so far.

Gary

[Robert I.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

"A resistance wire in the harness replaced the external ballast resistor beginning in 1968.
Failure of the ballast is rare, so I don't see a need to carry a spare"

I have a 340 hp 62, that my father bought new. It was in the shop 2 years and at 77 I felt that by the time it was out of the shop, I might be too old to drive it.

So it doesn't have a ballast resistor, but it has the wiring for one. I asked not the guy that did the work, but the owner of the shop. Other than painting the suspension, I'm not sure what he did.

He doesn't think it needs a ballast resistor, because "it has a one-wire alternator"

I don't think that has anything to do with the price of eggs.

Aside: A friend wth 1/2 dozen cars just got his Triumph out of the shop after 12 years. They only charged him $1800 for a gorgeous paint job, so he didn't complain.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

Does it still have the OE dual point distributor or something else?

You should also measure voltage at the coil + terminal with the engine fully warmed up and idling. All '62 engines were originally equipped with the 0.3 ohm ballast, which had a tendency to burn points, especially in cold weather.

Report your information and data here for further evaluation.

Duke

[Robert I.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

"Does it still have the OE dual point distributor or something else?"

Dual Point distributor but with Petronix installed.

"You should also measure voltage at the coil + terminal with the engine fully warmed up and idling. All '62 engines were originally equipped with the 0.3 ohm ballast, which had a tendency to burn points, especially in cold weather."

It has the Petronix coil.

Thanks

Report your information and data here for further evaluation.

Duke[/QUOTE]

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

So it doesn't have a ballast resistor, but it has the wiring for one. I asked not the guy that did the work, but the owner of the shop. Other than painting the suspension, I'm not sure what he did.

He doesn't think it needs a ballast resistor, because "it has a one-wire alternator"

I don't think that has anything to do with the price of eggs.

What is your coil brand and part#. You might have to loosen the clamp screw and remove it to see.

Likely "External Resistor Not Required"(facsimile).
If so, the coil has a built in ballast resistor.

If so, bad thing is it'll never see full battery voltage during Crank.(after the internal ballast)

EDIT- I was typing when you replied. Pertronix needs 12V direct. But the coil still needs a ballast unless what I mentioned above. Also, is it Pertronix I, II, or III? Important which one to verify it's wired properly.

I believe the Flamethrower Coil has a internal ballast. See last wiring diagram in this image....
PertronixWiring.jpg

See attached below also

Rich

[Robert I.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

The wiring diagram has a green wire from the starter to the Ballast Resistor. But the way I read the Petronix wiring diagram, you don't use that green wire. that doesn't seem right.wiring diagram.jpgpetronix.jpgresistor ballast.jpg

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

Bob, Pertronix doesn't show the green wire as their product doesn't care if the ignition has a Crank circuit to bypass the ballast or not. Some other makes don't use it.

So your photo shows a ballast.

It appears wired properly. Your coil is a standard coil that needs(and has) a ballast.

Brown - Ign 12v in RUN
Red - Pertronix

thru ballast to...

Dark Green - Coil+
Green - Solenoid R

Rich

[Robert I.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

"It appears wired properly. Your coil is a standard coil that needs(and has) a ballast."

The coil is a Petronix Coil.

With the green, black and purple wires connected to the starter solenoid, I tried turning on the headlights. Nothing. When I have it in the parking light position, the parking brake light is on and both turn signal lights are on, on the dash. Same if I push the horn button. I do not have the positive cable all the way onto the terminal, just hand tight. I haven't tried starting it yet.dash lights.jpg

[Robert I.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

I'm sorry, it's the high beam light that is on, not the parking brake light. I think I tried the high beam switch with no difference.

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

Bob, Ok, your original question regarding why you don't have a ballast resistor is now solved. You have one, but it's not needed if a Flamethrower coil is used. See previous diagram I posted.

EDIT- Wait, your coil is then wired wrong. Should haveCcoil+ to Ign 12v(brown wire). Make sure its a Flamethrower or you could damage it. Please photograph the entire coil showing label/numbers, etc.

Your green wire does nothing now. Your ballast is now just acting as a terminal block.

Your lights issue has nothing to do with the way the ballast is wired.

Your foot dimmer is likely defective, I.e. stuck on High Beam. Keep pressing it on off, but likely need a new one.

Your both directional lights on is likely because someone put the dash lens instrument lamps in those 2 sockets. If gray wires there, that's it. Directionals are light and dark blue iirc.

With key on, use directionals. See if other cluster locations start to follow the flasher.

If not, it could be a cluster ground issue. A Blk/Wht wire should be attached to the backside of the cluster at one of the gauge Pal nutted studs.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: C2 Ballast Resistor

Bob I edited last post. See "EDIT-".....