I'm new to the forum and have a question about the installation of a PerTronix 1281 ignitor for a 1966 Ford F250 with a 352. The instructions were easy to follow except for the last step of connecting the red wire to the coil. The instructions stated that it should be connected directly to the coil, unless the truck was equipped with a ballast resistor. Does this truck have a ballast resistor, if so where do I connect the wire? I currently have it connected directly to the coil.

Also, since I'm working on the truck, would it be worthwhile to install one of the PerTronix 40011 Flame-Thrower 40,000 Volt 1.5 ohm Coil? Sounds like many folks install them as a package.

Thanks,
Paul

 

You have a ballast resistor mounted on the front of your left sidee valve cover. I'm not sure why, as I don't believe that your truck originally came with one. You might give Pertronix a call to see what they recommend. Every one I ever installed, bypassed the resistor. Or, someone here will clarify.

 

Thanks. I figured that was the resistor, but I wasn't certain. I will give Pertronix a call tomorrow and see what they recommend.

 

I installed a 1281 on my y-block. They either recommend you using a ballast resistor and a non-resistive coil (~3.0 ohm) or no resistor and a resistive coil (1.5ohm).... otherwise you will burn it up.

I kept my resistor wire (or in your case.. resistor block) and ran a second wire along it connecting it before the resistance wire begins and connecting it to the + wire of the Petronix, and the - wire goes to the - side of the coil. Hope this helps

If you chose to buy a Flamethrower coil they sell you can bypass your resistor and run it full power and hook the + wire from the Petronix to the + side of the coil with the bypassed ballast resistor

 

Just to mention, your truck came from the factory with a built in resistor wire to feed the coil while running, known as the "pink wire". Why you have an external resistor there is questionable. Did the pink wire fail?? Did the PO see no external resistor and add one ?? Who knows. You should see what the voltage is feeding the coil with the engine running. The resistor was needed with the points to keep from burning and give long life. It's possible both resistors were in use and not giving coil on engine what it needed.