kinda ot wiring question

[rlkchall]

I have a a 34 Dodge coupe that has a 86 fifth ave steering column, electronic ignition from a 72 polara, and I used an ez wiring kit on it. 
The way I understand one side of the 4 post ballast resistor has 12 volts to start, and 6 volts the rest of the time.  What would happen if I had 12 volt at the ballast all the time, instead of just the 6 volt I should have when it is running.  It starts and runs well this way, but am I going to mess something up running it this way?
Thanks for the help
Bob

[janosch]

What the ballast resistor does is that it supply's the coil with a sufficient amount of voltage to create a spark strong enough to start the combustion. When you rev the engine to start it it supplys a higher voltage to make a stronger spark at the spark plugs so the engine starts easier. Then when the engine is started and running you don't need that strong a spark so it goes over to low voltage. Thereby you give the sparkplugs a longer life since wear occurs at them everytime there is a spark. so the only harm you could do is shortening the spark plugs life.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Actually, if you are hitting the coil with a steady 12 volts, yep it will run, and run well. But the coil can't handle that forever. Once the car has started, it needs a little less. If my memory is functioning correctly, when the car is running, you should have about 9-10 volts on the "+" terminal of the coil.

  Mike

[rlkchall]

I was wondering if it wouldn't be hard on either the coil or the ignition box. 
Thanks for the help
Bob

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I was wondering if it wouldn't be hard on either the coil or the ignition box. 
Thanks for the help
Bob

Bob,
  12 volts would never reach the ignition box, so that is safe.  Some after-market coils have a resistor built in, to avoid this problem, but I doubt that in this case. Do you have a meter to measure the voltage you have at the "+" terminal of the coil when the car is running?

  Mike

[ShelbyDogg]

If your coil manufacturer recommends an external resistor, use one.  The resistor absorbs extra current not being used by the coil. If you don't use one, your coil will suffer and overheat.   If you want to get rid of it like I did, you have to switch to a Ford or GM e-coil that doesn't use one.  The early GM cars that used an oil filled coil, used a resistor wire as it's ballast.

This is the one I use for my fuel injection setup. It looks like the GM HEI style.

Rob

[rlkchall]

Thanks for all the help, I finally gave in and took the coupe to the local mechanic.  He had worked at the local Chrysler dealer for years and he was able to fix my wiring mistakes.  Now everything is wired the way it is supposed to be and the car starts and runs better than ever.  Thanks
Bob