Just wondering when MoPar first used the ballast ignition setup and why? What were the intended bennies over what other auto companys were using at the time? Just one of lifes little mysterys that keep me awake at night

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83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed

Ballast resistance came into use across all makers' cars when 12-volt electrical systems replaced 6-volt systems in the mid 1950s. The coil was left as a nominal 6v device, and the ballast resistor and cranking bypass were added. This improved engine starting and general ignition performance across a wider range of operating conditions than if they'd reëngineered the rest of the ignition system to run full time on 12v, which would've entailed some difficult and costly problems.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

The ballast resistor started when Chrysler switched from 6V to 12V. Ford and Chevy used a resistance wire instead of a ballast resistor. The reason for the resistor is to drop the voltage at the coil. When cranking the engine though the ballast resistor or resistance wire is bypassed so the coil gets full voltage during cranking for easier starting. Keeping the resistance out of the harness means you can replace it if it goes bad rather than tearing into the harness. Some cars with a bad resistance wire would get a new piece of wire for the coil with a ballast resistor in line as a field repair.

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Joshua

Dan,Josh,thanks guys.So I was running a resistance wire on my old fords back in the day and didn't even know it. I'll be darned, so why was i never stranded by a bad "resistance wire" but I have on countless occasions had to change a ballast resistor to get going? Not complaining as I likes my MoPars,just wondering.

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83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed