The Ford Barn

topchop · 05-28-2016, 06:28 PM

Just a quick question before I proceed.

Currently running a "modern" coil in stock '47 V8 installed by previously owner. Looking under dash, it appears he bypassed the original resister, I assume, because 2 wires are on one post.

Going back to the original style of Ford coil for the year (1GA 12024).
From reading previous posts, I will need to put the resistor back in the loop.
1. Is there a polarity of this resistor?
2. Is there an easy way to check this resistor with a multi-meter?
3. What values?

Just got a Bubba's distributor and don't want to burn up the points.

Thanks

JSeery · 05-28-2016, 06:54 PM

Yes you need the resistor back in the circuit. Really no need to check the resistance, but believe it is somewhere around .5 ohms. There is no polarity to a resistor. You might check the resistor using the ohm setting on your meter just to make sure it will conduct.

topchop · 05-29-2016, 06:26 AM

Thanks.

More questions.

Just swapped out the coil, connected the resistor and fired it up with no problem. (Still using the old distributor).

Noticed the under-dash resister is hot. Read other posts and understand that is how they work.

Question. Will the heat increase with sustained running engine, or will it stabilize to a point?

flatheadmurre · 05-29-2016, 07:15 AM

As the resistor heats up the current goes down through it and it comes to a normal running temp.

JSeery · 05-29-2016, 07:38 AM

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If the engine is not running and the points are closed it can really heat up. Running the current through the resistor is dependent on the amount of time the points are open/closed. It will always get hot, it is converting the current flowing through it to heat, that is why the wire is coiled around a ceramic core.

05-28-2016, 06:54 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Resistor question Yes you need the resistor back in the circuit. Really no need to check the resistance, but believe it is somewhere around .5 ohms. There is no polarity to a resistor. You might check the resistor using the ohm setting on your meter just to make sure it will conduct.

05-29-2016, 06:26 AM	#3
topchop Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 110	Re: Resistor question Thanks. More questions. Just swapped out the coil, connected the resistor and fired it up with no problem. (Still using the old distributor). Noticed the under-dash resister is hot. Read other posts and understand that is how they work. Question. Will the heat increase with sustained running engine, or will it stabilize to a point? Last edited by topchop; 05-29-2016 at 06:40 AM. Reason: edited for clarity.

05-29-2016, 07:15 AM	#4
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Resistor question As the resistor heats up the current goes down through it and it comes to a normal running temp.

05-29-2016, 07:38 AM	#5
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Resistor question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If the engine is not running and the points are closed it can really heat up. Running the current through the resistor is dependent on the amount of time the points are open/closed. It will always get hot, it is converting the current flowing through it to heat, that is why the wire is coiled around a ceramic core.