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I purchased the AAW classic upgrade harness (510260) for my '65 with a 360 CID. I want to keep the points type ignition. Per the AAW rep, to retain the points ignition, the 12 volts supplied cannot go directly to the distributor. The voltage needs to be lessoned to that manufactures requirement. (ex: 8.9 - 9 volts). I first need to verify the distributor voltage requirement prior to purchasing a ballest resistor.
I've searched my distributor for a makers mark and so far I can't find any markings on it to help me identify the manufacture/model. Any advice on how to identify it or determine the voltage requirements?
As soon as you can- post up photos of your parts to get more eyes on. Many of us have converted our original points distributors to a Pertronix module. Do a search on this forum as there's plenty of feedback and documentation if you're interested.
If you are going to use points, along with an aftermarket harness, you'll need an inline resistor. Otherwise the points will burn up, regardless of which distributor. Most cars had these "Back in the Day" but I believe Ford used a "resistor wire" going to the positive side of the coil.
An in line resistor is simple. A ceramic housings with a connector at each end.
The original resistor wire was 1.3 ohms. It is the pink wire with a heat resistant sleeve on it. It plugged into the ignition switch and went to the connector on the cowl. You can get ballast resistors at any parts house. It doesn't matter what distributor you have as long as it is a points type but you need to use the stock coil for a points distributor. Make sure this wiring harness you have supplies a full 12V to the coil while the starter is engaged or you will have starting problems when it's cold weather.
Yeh I forgot about that from the old auto shop days of the late sixties. They started on 12v but ran on 6v, so the points do not burn up. I think my 1954 Ford in high school actually had a 6volt system.