I just had the ballast resistor fail in my 1969 Dart and replaced it with a part from O'Reilly's, since I was on the spot.

It was this BWD part: http://www.amazon.com/BWD-Ballast-Resis ... 000JZAVFU/

Is that good enough, for a cheap part like this? Or is there something better I should prefer to have in there?

The old part appeared to be this one (http://www.amazon.com/Standard-Motor-Pr ... 000C81NQU/), because it had the same patent number on it. But that wasn't original since I remember when it was replaced about twenty years ago (after spending an evening stuck on the side of the freeway).

Anyway, just wondering if there are better and worse quality parts, or OEM options out there, and if I should care for something like the ballast resistor.

Thanks to anyone for thoughts.

Probably isn't much difference, but I would carry a spare in the glove box.

I would consider the HEI upgrade in the future. It is a upgrade for our older cars. Even then I would carry a spare HEI module.

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Thanks for the thoughts.

Yeah, somehow I didn't learn the lesson to carry a spare resistor twenty years ago, when it failed and left me stuck on the freeway. Only yesterday did I remember that I had always intended to do that. Fortunately this time it failed at home in the garage. But I'm going to get an extra one!

I was reading about the HEI upgrade last night. It does sound like a good idea in principal. Since my mother is the original owner on this car and I grew up with it, I guess I have a devotion to keeping it as original as possible. And it runs great, further lessoning my sense that modifications are necessary.

I would take a used, genuine Mopar resistor from a junkyard that checked out on a volt ohm meter over a wheelbarrow full of resistors from China.

But as mentioned above, the HEI upgrade is the best bang for the buck you can get for your Mopar.

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If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

Thanks coconuteater64. Yeah, I was thinking about looking for a Mopar resistor to replace the one I got from O'Reilly's and just keep that one as a backup.

What would I be looking for on an ohm meter to check the resisitor? How many ohms should it read at?

Also, I understand that the HEI system is more reliable. Are there other advantages?

No ballast resistor, hotter spark, easier starts, better gas mileage, cheap and easy to do.

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2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

I might ask Slant six Dan about this, but the 2 wire resistors come in 2 flavors.

The Lean burn systems of 1975-1988 used different ohm resistors than the older 1960-1971ish 2 wire resistors.

rockauto listing for ballast resistors for 69 dart:
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodg ... istor,7052


Same Listings (including 2 wire for a 79 Aspen) With EI or Lean Burn.
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodg ... istor,7052


If it were me, I would go with this one..
AIRTEX / WELLS 6R1002 {Click Info Button for Alternate/OEM Part Numbers} Wells

Looks stock and the right part.

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Thanks Rick and Greg.