Hello, new member here. I have a 69 El Camino with a 350 and it has a stock coil and distributer with a mallory unilite breakerless conversion in it. My question is do I need a ballast resistor or is my resistor wire ok? I loss spark and have been trying to get it started with no luck. I bought a replacement module and before I install it I want to make sure if a ballast resister is needed or not. I can't see that one was installed anyware in line to the coil on the existing setup.
Thanks. :D

a.

Maybe I didn't discribe by set up correctly. My coil is not a mallory. I have a mallory distributor module that is a unilite breakerless type and I want to replace it because I believe it is bad. Before I do I want to be sure I don't voltage spike the new unit. I currently don't have a ballest resistor installed and I'm not sure if I need one.

a,

If you ever in doubt put a resistor on it. It cant hurt any thing

Yes I thought it might not hurt but as a novice on electronic I thought I would ask.
Thanks for the repply :-D
I hope my previous input was not taken as I was going to hurt some? my opoligies guys.

If you have a stock coil, use a ballast.

Thanks for advise. I will and I hope the new distributer module will fix my problem the darn thing cost me $90.
Carl :cool:

Have a look at this link and see if any of the wiring diagrams apply to your set up

http://www.centuryperformance.com/mallory/wiring.asp

Also try Mallory's web site for instruction sheets

http://www.mrgasket.com/mallorymain.html


I'm pretty sure you will need the ballast resistor though, no mater what coil. I've run the Mallory unilites for years with zero problems but I always used the resistor till I upgraded to a Hyfire box which does not require using one.

James, I ordered the Mallory P/N as suggested in the text on the diagrams. I will install it and hope for the best. I don't think it would hurt anything and might just save my new module.

I spent 4 hours working on the 69 yesterday and finally fixed the no spark problem. I replaced the plug wires with Taylor spiral installed a new dist.cap an roter and replaced the ignition module and install a balist resistor. She fired up first crank! re-set the timing so now I'm ready to install the carb new week. Happy times. The problem was that I voltage spiked the ignition module by removing and reinstalling the battery cable when it was in storage and found out that the previous owner had a red + cable attached to the negitive post and a black cable to the + post but the black was the positive feed. Well I was just looking at colors of the cables and not the +- marks on the battery and the positive side was loosely attached so when I mistakenly removed the negitive thinking it was the postive it sparked and sent a spike through the ignition module. Live and learn I guess. $150 journey but new parts now. :oops:

Oops!

I am sure we all have simular stories. Glad it's fixed now. 8)

Your right! Today was a sunny day in Everett and all the rods and bikes were out crusing. I really wanted to takr the 69 out but needed to activiate the insurence and I need a air cleaner first. Two weeks from now I hope to be driving it full time. Can't wait.