47 Ignition Resistor

[dorvedahl47pu]

Good evening,

I'm currently working on getting a 47 Ford 1/2 ton running. I know/think I have a spark problem, as the rebuilt carb worked great on another engine. This truck does not have the typical 40-47 cowl wiring set-up in that there are no headlight breakers and ignition resistor located on the inside firewall. The headlight breakers are mounted on the side of the instrument panel and there is no ignition resistor.

So, my question is do I need to rig up an ignition resistor, install a coil with an internal resistor, or leave it as is?

Thanks.

Dale

 

[FlatheadTed]

Dale If it has a stock 6 volt coil ,Baker light, it needs a Ford resitor ,if you want to go 12 volt a internial resiter 12 volt would be needed ,

 

[JayChicago]

I don't think you NEED to have an ignition resistor. You just need to have enough total resistance, resistor and/or coil, to limit the current thru the coil and points to about 4 amps.

You didn't say if this is 6 volt or converted to 12 volt.

If 6 volt, no ignition resistor, use a 1.5 ohm coil.

If 12 volt, no ignition resistor, use a 3 ohm coil.

 

[rotorwrench]

With the original rabbit ear distributor and Mallory design Ford bakelite coil, an original ballast resistor is necessary. If it now has a 1.5 Ohm primary can type coil typical to 8BA and later type systems then it needs no ballast at all.

 

[dorvedahl47pu]

Thank you to all of you for answering! The truck is 6 volt with the original style coil. I think I may try a can style coil. I have one on another truck I can swap in. Thanks again.