pertronix II and ballast resistor?

[Carb]

I tried to search but keep getting conflicting answers, so here I am...

I have a '67 f100 with a 352. installed a new Napa coil and pertronix II.

As I understand it, the ballast resistor can be safely bypassed-removed.

Is this correct?

Thanks.

EDIT: Pertronix wrote back, and indeed you can remove/bypass the resistor. The weird thing is I think it may have already been removed? I measured -+12 volts to the coil at idle. DO I need to check anything else? BTW I have a new NAPA coil mounted sideways. I read below it may be an issue not being vertical but the horizontal mount is original...

[markguiver]

Not 100% sure about the Pertronix II but I'm pretty sure you still need the resistor with a regular (OE style) coil. The Flame-thrower coils are internally resisted so if you are using one of those you can do away with the ballast. If you delete the resistor with a stock replacement coil you might be replacing coils more often.
Mark.

[colnago]

Mark is correct. I have the Pertronix II in my 352, and the Flamethrower coil, so I was able to bypass the ballast resistor. If I reused my old coil, I would have had to keep the resistor in the loop. Also, the Pertronix I is not designed to run without the resistor, but the II is. I would suggest returning the coil, and getting the Flamethrower.

Joseph

[Jacksdad]

The ballast resistor is meant to help the coil and points last a little longer by reducing voltage. One thing - even if you leave the resistor on, make sure your conventional oil cooled coil is mounted upright. Not going to happen every time, but any other way potentially leaves the windings exposed and prone to overheating. I've seen pictures of an Accel supercoil that was mounted sideways with the ignition left on, and the top blew off. E-core coils like the Flamethrower are not prone to it.

[69Ford]

I run the original pertronix I bypassed the resister wire and running straight 12 volt battery power to the coil everything is fine. Using an original non resisted yellow top coil. And as stated above do not leave the ignition on without the engine running I blew up a coil that way. If memory serves me right I believe the pertronix II has a safety feature built in that shuts it down if the key is left on to long without engine running. Our trucks do not have a ballast resister instead Ford opted to go with a resister wire which does the same thing just a lot harder to replace.