304 V8 Coil / Resistor

I would like to eliminate the resistor on my coil. Why? My Jeep is essentially a show Jeep and I am 'cleaning up' the engine compartment to make it look a bit better. I would also like to improve the performance a bit. Currently I am installing a Edelbrcok intake and a Holley carb... I will post some pictures!

I know my current coil is marked 'use external resistor'. Can I simply switch to a coil with an 'internal resistor'? I know a DUI Distributor is an option but it is expensive and doesn't look too good in my opinion (love the concept though!!) I also considered to switching to a MSD ignition and a new coil. Is it a pretty easy install? Plug and play? Would this system then not require a resistor? I don't think I want to go to a HEI ignition but it is an option.

One other perhaps silly question, if I switch to a Mean Green starter with an internal solenoid I would then bypass the external solenoid (edited )?

Thanks gents!

 

Yes.

You mean external solenoid? Yes you can, if the starter-mounted solenoid has connections for the small terminals on your original solenoid. You'll have to run the wires down to the new starter solenoid.

JMO - unless you have very high compression, the hot rod starter isn't a very good use of your money. Instead, I'd buy a better battery (Odyssey or Diehard Platinum - same) and heavier battery cables. And replace the original solenoid with a new name-brand one, Standard SS581 or equivalent.

 

Thank you for the reply Tim..... If I go with the internal resistor coil do the wires that hooked up to the external resistor then simply hook up directly to the coil?

 

Plug and play - just eliminate the external resistor, and connect the wires the same way. The coil will be marked with a polarity (+, -).

 

I am suprised that you do not like tle look of a dui. I always thought they looked neat. anyway i have one and i also installed a gm one wire alt on my 73 which i show also. you can do away with alot of the wires that way and it really cleans things up. Installing a mean green starter would should allow you to remove the solenoid on the innner finder and that would clean up wiring even more. I did not do the starter thing. the solenoid on the fender did not bother me enough.

 

My jeep has the original points ignition. The coil on my jeep I assume has an internal resistor, as there is no separate part on the fender that has a couple of wires going to it. I bought a coil from rockauto not thinking what "use with exterior resistor" meant until I saw this thread. I bought one that was listed for my stock 304. How would I wire in a resistor, or should I just return the coil for one with an internal resistor?

 

Yup the ballast resistor is in the power line to the coil look at the diagram here Jeep® 1974-1976 Parts Manuals online

 

Thanks. The diagram in the Group 3 Supplement for the V8 does not show a ballast resistor from what I can tell. I didn't check the one-lines. I think I would rather go back with a coil that has an internal resistor, but most that I have seen use external resistors. The ones on RockAuto don't give good descriptions at all.

 

OR, does my 73 304 have a resistance wire instead of a ballast resistor???

 

There are 2 wires on the + side of the coil, so I assume the pinky/orange colored one is the resistance wire as shown in the Haynes manual. Affirmative?

 

Forget the Haynes manual - you're much much better off looking at the '74 manual at www.oljeep.com The '73 model is almost identical to the '74, and the Jeep wiring diagram will tell you the color and purpose of every (clearly labeled) wire.

Look at section 22 and 22-7 here http://oljeep.com/edge_74_tsm.html - wire C-38 is a pink resistance wire. The 6 and V8 have different resistances, but I'm sure that's just because C-38 is a different length for the two applications.

 

Thanks. That's very similar to the diagram and is the exact wire designation as in the Haynes. Haynes divides up the wiring diagrams from 72-73 and 74-75. I'm sure the 74 wiring is very similar to the 73. The 72-73 in the Haynes is very easy to follow. I was looking for a yes or no as to whether when a coil which states "use external resistor", is this referring to either using a ballast resistor or a resistor wire? I'm assuming the resistor wire serves the same purpose as a ballast resistor, but wanted to be sure.

 

The Haynes and Chiltons manuals are known for errors. The Haynes manual may be ok in this case, but I would not trust it.

Even the factory manuals contain occasional errors, but they are revised each year and do not try to cover multiple years. Plus they cover the systems in more detail than the parts store manuals.

However, the factory manuals are targeted at an audience of professional mechanics, and they likely assume the reader is more skilled. And sometimes the factory puts tuneup specs in a separate manual. But the factory manuals are really great, otherwise.

 

The special resistant wire takes the place of the ballast resistor so you will use the coil labeled (For use with external resistor).
You will have two wires on the + terminal of the coil. One is the special resistant ign wire and the other will go to the starter solenoid.

 

Yeah, the Haynes is wrong about the year ranges for the wiring diagram. Only the '75 has the wiring harness with the separate fuse panel. A '74 has inline fuses, just like a '73.

Walt has it covered wrt the resistance wire. A ballast resistor and a resistance wire are equivalent, and both used with the "use external resistor" coil.

 

Thanks guys for your help.