Ballast resistor

[koates]

Originally Posted by mikebell

I've got a 1934 ford flathead. Starts when it feels like. Run through ballast resistor. Take off ballast resistor and it starts right up. Reads 5.
3 volts a coil . Should I dump the resistor? That 302 looks better every day!!!

Your original Ford resistor should read .5 ohms (1/2 an ohm) NOT 5 ohms. A 6 volt can type coil would generally need no external resistor. Lots of things to check out in the ignition system apart from the resistor. Like condenser, points, coil, plugs, HT leads, caps, rotor, wiring. A 302 OHV engine has all these items as well and all have to be in good order. Test each item and establish if there is a problem somewhere. Read up in some flathead books how to do it. I prefer to use the original Ford coil as mounted on top of the distributor than the can type with the adaptor plate. Regards, Kevin.