Ballast resistor with Taylor coil and Duraspark?

I did do some searching here and found if the primary resistance of (any brand X) coil is under .8 ohms to run a ballast resistor with a blue strain releif Duraspark. As i understand, my Taylor 718222 coil is .7 ohms. Did I just answer my own question? If so, what 'size' resistor do i need?

Its a 69 Lincoln 460 in a 56 F100, and coverted from points.. Hence, there is no pink resistance wire anywhere, its all from scratch wiring.

I -think- ive seen plenty of schematics on how the Duraspark is wired, its just the balast resistor im concerned with...but.....

I also am making a new harness to, and between the box, distributor, and coil. Those Ford connectors are ridiculously large and...ugly. What gauge wires would you reccomend?  I tend to overbuild...and overthink.

Electronics are about my least favorite part of workin on stuff, Id rather huff gear lube...blah


Thanks

56f100guy wrote:I did do some searching here and found if the primary resistance of (any brand X) coil is under .8 ohms to run a ballast resistor with a blue strain releif Duraspark. As i understand, my Taylor 718222 coil is .7 ohms. Did I just answer my own question? If so, what 'size' resistor do i need?

Its a 69 Lincoln 460 in a 56 F100, and coverted from points.. Hence, there is no pink resistance wire anywhere, its all from scratch wiring.

I -think- ive seen plenty of schematics on how the Duraspark is wired, its just the balast resistor im concerned with...but.....

I also am making a new harness to, and between the box, distributor, and coil. Those Ford connectors are ridiculously large and...ugly. What gauge wires would you reccomend?  I tend to overbuild...and overthink.

Electronics are about my least favorite part of workin on stuff, Id rather huff gear lube...blah

Thanks

A .6 to a .8 ballast resistor is in the correct range. The resistor can be by-passed for short periods during short bursts of racing type use but, continuous by-passing will eventually cause some sort of coil overheating.

The Duraspark ignition is an "inductive" type ignition and normally by-passes that resistor for starting.

Thanks for the reply. I called Taylor Cable prior to seeing this, and they (reluctantly)  confirmed I'd need about an .8 ohm resistor.

I'm not sure how y'all got that number, but..why ask why? If it starts, runs and my coil doesn't burn up, I'm good.

So the Red wire to the Duraspark from S terminal on solonoid, is full 12v. BUT, the Red wire from S to (+) side of coil gets the .8 ohm resistor...true?

I don't see any reason why i wouldn't hook up the White wire as well. It seems some do, some don't. As i understand, it retards the timing for easier starting, and gets hooked up to I on solonoid?

EDIT- i see .6 ohm ballast resistors for 'tractors' for about $3, or .8 ohm MSD, BWD or Napa brand for about $15. Is there really any difference, or am i just paying for the brand name?


Thanks again.