Ballast Resistor Location

[YellowRose]

Here is a picture of where your ballast resistor is located at in your Squarebird engine well.

[tbird430]

-On a 1958-59 Bird....

[DKheld]

The 60's used the resistor wire correct? You can see the resistor is not in place on my '60.

Eric

[YellowRose]

Ballast Resistor Location

I think, but I am not sure, that in 1960, they eliminated the ballast resistor. Someone who knows for sure hopefully will respond to your question.

[simplyconnected]

The answer is in Ford Parts & Accessories TEXT Catalog. 12250 is the base number for all ignition resistors. Starting in 1960, Thunderbirds use C0LF 12250-A, which is a PINK wire 61.5" long. This is clearly a resistance wire. Ford depended on the length to disipate heat over a wider area. Conventional resistors got real hot and were potted in porcelain.

The only change after 1960 was in '64 with Electronic Ign. That system used an 8.1-ohm wire, half as long. - Dave

[YellowRose]

Ballast Resistor Location

Thanks, Dave! I shudda looked it up! I remembered there being a lot of discussion about the pink resistor wire on the '60's, unlike the '58-'59 porcelain encased resistor pod mounted on the firewall. Now we know..