1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
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Re: 1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
56 does not have the trough and should have a tab. if it has a C cutout in the band that will be three strikes!- Top
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Re: 1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
That's what the man said...you've got a service replacement part. Why?
(1) It has the late era ceramic (trough extends through the terminal areas all the way to the outside edges).
(2) Mounting band is of '66-67 and later construction lacking the 'tear-away' tab in the center of the rounded edge.
(3) Although not visible in your picture, the side of the band just above the mounting tab most likely HAS the strain relief, [-shaped, cutout.
Basically, these are the issues that have been discussed in this thread... Plus, there's another that hasn't been mentioned.
That's if you remove the terminal mounting screws and look down, I'll bet you see the metal insert has TWO opposing crimps that 'lock' it into position in the ceramic. Since early production ballasts lacked the full length trough configuration, they could only support inserts with a single crimp ear!
That's a 'bummer'. Why? Well, if the crimped ear fatigue fractured, the insert was free to simply spin when you tried to fully torque the connecting wire's attaching screw. That could leave you with a 'loose' wire contact prone to oxidation build up or intermittent electrical contact...
The only other use of the one vs. two eared insert that I know of is on today's current licensed reproduction ballast. I've questioned whether the guys at Shafer simply didn't read the drawing package they should have gotten with their repro license or if they just wanted to make an inferior part???
But, the only ceramic tooling they have is the late era, full trench configuration. So, they should be using inserts with two opposing crimp tabs...
Heck, maybe they've improved/changed the construction of their part. The one's I looked at were made, perhaps, 3-years ago...- Top
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Re: 1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
jack
wow........
i'm impressed by your knowledge of this resistor!!
quite a dissertation on this topic
i'm learning a lot
my goal for my vette is not to do a 'concurs' restro
but to freshen up my engine bay so that it doesn't
look bad in comparsion to it's exterior
but, i do want to get it as right as possible
thanks for all your help
dave- Top
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Re: 1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
Hello,
Was there only one ballast resistor for '63? Some of the catalogs show two different repros - one for the 250/300HP and another for the higher HP options. The repro for the higher HP engines looks like the ones shown in this thread. The other for the lower HP (250/300HP like mine) looks like the one on my mostly original car (photos attached). Is the one on my car correct? Anyone else have one matching mine - other than the bent tabs?
Thanks,
Jon- Top
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Re: 1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
Jon,
If that's the resistor on your 63 car it's not correct. The correct bracket has the break away tab and shows stamping saying Delco Remy and the cut out is different. The pics in this post show what a 63 resistor should look like.
I can take a picture of the resistor on my 63 and post later if you like.- Top
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Re: 1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
Timothy,
Thanks for the response. Would mine be a service replacement? Is the ballast resistor something that would have been replaced as part of a tune-up back in the '60's? My distributor cap and spark plug wires have been replaced. I wonder if the ballast resistor was replaced at the same time?
Yes, I would like to see a photo of yours.
Thanks,
Jon- Top
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Re: 1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
Jon,
It's a service replacement of some kind but it's not a GM part. I will get some pics of the ballast on my 63 .3 ohm plus the service replacement 1.8 ohm ballast with the blue identifing strip.- Top
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Re: 1963 Ballast Resistor Configuration
Technical Service Bulletin
DR#577 dated Feb. 27, 1963
Subj: Distributor Breaker Point Burning 1963 Corvette And 409 Engines
To eliminate Distributor point burning during cold-weather operation, a new higher value inginition primary resistor entered production on Feb. 4, 1963
for all 250 hp, or 300 hp Corvettes and 340 hp 409 Passengier cars.
If premature cold-weather point burning is encountered on the above models, built prior to the the production change, install resistor No. 1957154 (1.8 ohms)
in place of variable resistor No. 1931385 (approx. 0.3 ohms resistance when cold).
Resistor No. 1957154 may also be used on 340 hp or 360 hp Corvettes, 400 hp or 425 hp 409's and the Corvair Spyder for temporary winter operation; however, it should be pointed out to the owner that resistor No. 1931385 will provide the best possible high speed ignition performance.
Parts Data
Part No.
1957154 Ignition primary resistor - 1.8 ohms
(Service part identified by blue stripe)
1931385 Ignition primary resistor - 0.3 ohms
(service part identified by black dot)- Top
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