Car-‘67 Olds442 with BBO400: Has anyone switched to MSD Blaster coil with ballast? I have been searching to see if there is info here regarding switching out the resistor wire for a ballast. Is it necessary? Are there any tips from anyone who has done it? Using stock points distributor for now.

 

WHICH Blaster coil? And what is the distributor? The coil resistance needs to match the type of distributor you have - points vs a conversion kit vs a whole electronic distributor.

 

 

I am new to Olds engine and electric. MSD high vibration coil #8222. I got this one so I can mount horizontally in the stock location for now. Points distributor with new cap and rotor. I believe it is the original distributor. I have the ballast resistor. Silly me, I thought I could just swap out the coil and ballast resistor. Then I discovered there is no ballast resistor and everything came to a screeching halt. I am sure you know that the resistor wire seems to go into a box mounted on the passenger wheel well. Do I open this box (if possible) and swap the resistor wire for a wire to the ballast resistor and on to the coil?

 

The resistor wire serves the same purpose as the ballast resistor. There is no need to change it out if you still have points. Unfortunately that coil is only 0.7 ohms. Your points ignition system wants a coil with about 1.4 to 3.0 ohms. I used Accel 8104C on my 69 Cutlass wagon.

 

Thanks for info, can the Accel coil be mounted horizontally in stock location?

 

That's how I have mine

 

So, this coil with the current resistor wire and I am good to go. Thanks so much!

 

Although I know a lot of people that do, they say not to mount an oil filled coil horizontally because the air bubble inside may not completely cover the windings. You should not mount them straight up either, mount at an angle. Joe I think the part# is 8140c.

 

As it even shows in the photo I posted...

 

What would happen if you run the stock resistor wire to an HEI distributor?
I never really considered this.

 

You'd have reduced spark output due to the lower voltage. Your HEI would become an LEI.