The Ford Barn

crjohn · 09-13-2023, 04:20 PM

I am working on my 1947 super deluxe. I have decided to stick with the original 6V positive ground system. I have noted that the ballast resistor is not bypassed when starting, this came as surprise to me??? Has anyone switched to a four terminal starter solenoid with the option to bypass the ballast resistor when starting? If so did it help starting or cause any unexpected problems?

Thanks for any input!
CRJOHN

petehoovie · 09-13-2023, 06:15 PM

You might want to try Supereal's 'Quick Start' Circuit

crjohn · 09-13-2023, 06:46 PM

Thanks great idea! I can do that. I'll give it a try!

Kube · 09-14-2023, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crjohn

Thanks great idea! I can do that. I'll give it a try!

Robert (supereal) is a SUPER mechanic. His method of bypassing the ballast works perfectly from my experience.

FlatheadTed · 09-15-2023, 02:30 PM

I have tried both with and with out ,The 4 post solenoid doesn't have a engine jump button ,if all your cables ect are up to scratch you don't really need a buy pass .Use heavy welding cable , Fuel pump good no leaky were you put the filter on.ect . Ted

big job · 09-17-2023, 05:10 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

When I first got my 46 the coil blew up? So a got a Napa common 6 vt coil A little research said no resistor required. If true the Ford coil and resister is a :Ford thing: no other makes have a resistor, so it must be true

38 coupe · 09-17-2023, 07:42 AM

Can coils are made both with and without an internal resistor. Read the coil you are using (or look up the manufacturer's instructions) and see if an external resistor is needed or not. Here is an example of a can coil that requires an external resistor: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...336407&pt=7060

Veeder · 09-17-2023, 09:56 AM

I simply mounted a momentary switch under the dash so when I need to bypass the ignition resistor I can. Not needed very often but every once in a while comes in handy if the 6v battery is running down a bit.

FlatheadTed · 09-17-2023, 03:33 PM

The stock ford 4 ,1/2 Volt needs the resister or you will burn up the points prematurely,,

crjohn · 09-28-2023, 03:47 PM

Thanks for all the replies! I currently seem to have it starting much better. I did install the diode as suggested by petehoovie. I also added a missing engine ground strap. Pops right off now!

Nick Bernier · 10-09-2023, 08:50 AM

crjohn, thanks for jogging my memory on the engine ground strap. When I read your post, it made me realize I never reconnect the ground strap when I put the engine back in my '40 several months ago. Since I sometimes have a hard time getting it started I decided to wire in the diode fix from supereal. But, it turns out my resistor was already bypassed under the dash. I've put about 800 miles on the car since I bought it. Stock helmet dist and coil. Is the coil at risk, or the points, or both?? Henry put the resistor in about the worst place he could. Will probably have to remove the seat to get to it.

Nick Bernier · 10-09-2023, 09:15 AM

I should add that the car runs great once started, and usually starts right up. Just on occasion, it won't start. Maybe I flood it. Let it sit a bit and it'll start.

09-13-2023, 04:20 PM	#1
crjohn Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 9	Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? I am working on my 1947 super deluxe. I have decided to stick with the original 6V positive ground system. I have noted that the ballast resistor is not bypassed when starting, this came as surprise to me??? Has anyone switched to a four terminal starter solenoid with the option to bypass the ballast resistor when starting? If so did it help starting or cause any unexpected problems? Thanks for any input! CRJOHN

09-13-2023, 06:15 PM	#2
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 8,156	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? You might want to try Supereal's 'Quick Start' Circuit __________________ The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... *"Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!"* "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0

09-13-2023, 06:46 PM	#3
crjohn Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 9	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? Thanks great idea! I can do that. I'll give it a try!

09-15-2023, 02:30 PM	#5
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? I have tried both with and with out ,The 4 post solenoid doesn't have a engine jump button ,if all your cables ect are up to scratch you don't really need a buy pass .Use heavy welding cable , Fuel pump good no leaky were you put the filter on.ect . Ted __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters , Last edited by FlatheadTed; 09-15-2023 at 04:02 PM.

09-17-2023, 05:10 AM	#6
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) When I first got my 46 the coil blew up? So a got a Napa common 6 vt coil A little research said no resistor required. If true the Ford coil and resister is a :Ford thing: no other makes have a resistor, so it must be true

09-17-2023, 07:42 AM	#7
38 coupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 1,631	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? Can coils are made both with and without an internal resistor. Read the coil you are using (or look up the manufacturer's instructions) and see if an external resistor is needed or not. Here is an example of a can coil that requires an external resistor: https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...336407&pt=7060

09-17-2023, 09:56 AM	#8
Veeder Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CT Posts: 394	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? I simply mounted a momentary switch under the dash so when I need to bypass the ignition resistor I can. Not needed very often but every once in a while comes in handy if the 6v battery is running down a bit.

09-17-2023, 03:33 PM	#9
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? The stock ford 4 ,1/2 Volt needs the resister or you will burn up the points prematurely,, __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

09-28-2023, 03:47 PM	#10
crjohn Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2023 Posts: 9	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? Thanks for all the replies! I currently seem to have it starting much better. I did install the diode as suggested by petehoovie. I also added a missing engine ground strap. Pops right off now!

10-09-2023, 08:50 AM	#11
Nick Bernier Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 84	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? crjohn, thanks for jogging my memory on the engine ground strap. When I read your post, it made me realize I never reconnect the ground strap when I put the engine back in my '40 several months ago. Since I sometimes have a hard time getting it started I decided to wire in the diode fix from supereal. But, it turns out my resistor was already bypassed under the dash. I've put about 800 miles on the car since I bought it. Stock helmet dist and coil. Is the coil at risk, or the points, or both?? Henry put the resistor in about the worst place he could. Will probably have to remove the seat to get to it.

10-09-2023, 09:15 AM	#12
Nick Bernier Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Frisco, TX Posts: 84	Re: Adding a ballast bypass starter solenoid??? I should add that the car runs great once started, and usually starts right up. Just on occasion, it won't start. Maybe I flood it. Let it sit a bit and it'll start.