Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

Looking at the wiring diagrams for the 1000 series in my 1964 GMC maintenance manual, the ignition coil just has one yellow wire going from the positive side of the coil to the starter/starter solenoid. However, under my hood I have the yellow wire, but also a black wire connected to the positive terminal. I have installed the pertronix ignitor and coil and when measuring as instructed, I measuring 7.5v instead of 12V at the positive terminal of the coil. Supposedly this means I have a ballast resistor somewhere that needs to be removed. However, I cannot find it. I assumed this would be mounted on the firewall in the engine compartment somewhere. However, all I see is the two wires (yellow and black) disappearing into a bundle of wires wrapped in tape. So, first, is my wiring correct for a 1000 series truck since it does not agree with the drawing; and , second, where the heck is this resistor, if there even is one? :confused::headscratch:

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

The wire is a resistance wire. Trace it back to the switch. Add a #12 wire at the switch. Make sure its on the hot-run-start side of the switch and not just hot-run. Barry.

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

Thanks Barry! Hope you are doing well. Bar with me here...
Resistance wire? Letting the wire itself act as a ballast resistor? Add #12 from hot-run-start to...?

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

Hook it to the coil just like original. Cut the old wire open and you will see how its a resistance wire. I am doing as good as I can. My cardiologist wants to pop in a pacer defibrillator . However welding and gas powered tools are a problem. Cardio versions are rough in a controlled situation. So the thought of getting hit when I strike an arc has me bugged. I don't want to give up a few things but I don't want to get a serious trigger flinch either. Things to ponder in the next few months. Barry

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

Dang. Didn't know you had that going on. Prayers are with you.
I'll check it the wire. I guess driving it to town and back right now with 7.5v on the coil would not be a good idea? Wife and daughter were hoping to go to the drive-in in it tonight. Oh well. LOL.

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

Call me a newbie but it just looks like silver stranded wire in a black insulator to me :lolsmack:

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

I will look at my junk. Most I have seen are solid wire that is tinned. Or a 3 or 4 strand twisted tinned wire., . Thanks for the prayers. My dad died at 48. I got the same condition. The kids seem clear. So hopefully it ends with me. Norske and ojibie Cree seem to be a genetic problem for me. This is a problem for my Yale trained cardiologist. Since I am still more capable than most.

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

If it runs drive it.

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

LOL! It ran but I had time to run the wire as suggested. So now it has the proper 12v at the coil. And we still made it to the drive in! :D

Re: Pertronix and Ignition Coil wiring confusion
 

This may be off topic but I have a '66 GMC with a 305D V6. Am I suppose to use the same sparkplugs as the 305E or am I to use a different plug for the 305D V6????