Ballast Resistor Location Suggestions

[Chaparralman1974]

Hey everyone, I need some input on where I should locate the ballast resistor for my 67 K20. I ordered the AAW classic update kit (which is super nice BTW) and have begun to get the truck wired. I opted for the AAW kit for a few reasons. First off, it was highly recommended here on the board. Secondly, it was a ton cheaper than going piece meal on a factory harness. Lastly, it will give me plenty of room to grow should I decide to ditch the SBC 327 later on down the road.

Since I am staying with a traditional distributor, coil, and points setup, I have to use a ballast resistor in place of the original resistance wire that used to be in the truck. My question for you all, is where is the best place that I should locate it for both functionality and aesthetics? I was thinking of putting it on the firewall kind of by the distributor, but I am not sure if it will look out of place.

Here is a picture of the ballast resistor and a few places I was thinking to locate it on the firewall.

Thanks, Clay

[PbFut]

Put it where visible so you don't forget when you get tied of fooling with the points and go hei. Also place resister so the lead is long enough to reach distributor without plice for when that time comes.

[dmjlambert]

I found this thread interesting. Maybe you don't need that resistor. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...83#post9285783

[HO455]

When I ditched the HEI in my Burban, I mounted the ballast resistor on the coil like this. No holes needed. Short convenient wiring.

I thought I had a picture of how I did it but it appears I don't so I scavenged this one from the interweb.

As discussed in the link above you can run without a ballast resistor if you have the correct coil. Generally coils with a ballast have around 1.5 ohms resistance on the primary windings as they were designed for 6 volts. When they are run on 12 volts they require 1.5 ohms of resistance wired in series to the coil.

Coils without a ballast running 12v have around 3 ohms of resistance in the primary windings.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by HO455

When I ditched the HEI in my Burban, I mounted the ballast resistor on the coil like this. No holes needed. Short convenient wiring.

I thought I had a picture of how I did it but it appears I don't so I scavenged this one from the interweb.

As discussed in the link above you can run without a ballast resistor if you have the correct coil. Generally coils with a ballast have around 1.5 ohms resistance on the primary windings as they were designed for 6 volts. When they are run on 12 volts they require 1.5 ohms of resistance wired in series to the coil.

Coils without a ballast running 12v have around 3 ohms of resistance in the primary windings.

Convenient yes, but if you ever have any ignition problems it may be the coil, because of the resistor. The resistor puts out a lot of heat and will put extra stress on the coil because of the close proximity.... Just something to keep in mind down the road.
.