Re: [Amc-list] pertronix install on '63 american

["Swygert, Francis G MSgt 436 CES/CECM" <Francis.Swygert3@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Pertronix needs a source of switched 12V. Just run a new wire from a
switched source and you'll be fine. 

Joe's correct... for 70s AMCs. Somewhere around 67-71 they changed from
using either a ballast resistor or a high internal resistance coil to
using a resistance wire. 

There are wiring diagrams for 56-65 Ramblers on www.tocmp.com (go to the
site map, link near bottom of left column). 56-57 sixes used a ballast
resistor, 58+ used a high resistance coil and no resistor. The resistor
shown in the wiring for 65 and later is for the alternator (noise
filter). You'll note that there is a splice after the resistor that
feeds power to the coil. 

If you bought the correct coil for the car it likely has a high
resistance inside, but that shouldn't affect the + wire going to the
coil. It should come straight from the ignition switch, or rather from a
splice or junction of wires that get power from the switch. A corroded
or loose connection could cause a high resistance and power drop. 

The high resistance coil will cut voltage internally as it gets warm
from use. If you bought a generic coil it will not have a high
resistance. A common replacement coil sometimes comes with an external
ballast resistor. Those can be substituted for the original as long as
the resistor is used. That's why you occasionally see a 58-65 (or later)
with a ballast resistor. 


------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 04:18 PM
From: JOE B FULTON <PIPER_PA20@xxxxxxxxxxx>

With the ignition on, check the voltage on the
positive side of the coil (to ground).  It will
probably be something less than 12 volts, indicating
that you have a resistor wire in the circuit.  AMC did
not use ballast resistors, per se, but used a resistor
wire spliced into the circuit.  You will need a full
12 volts to the coil when the ignition is in the "run"
mode, I think.

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