Ballast resistor

[Brandy]

Hi all - I'd love some advice on my '70 240Z. I replaced the distributor, had a new ignition coil installed, the SU carbs rebuilt, and spent last weekend sitting in the hatchbay replacing the rear electrical harness so I can have rear lights.

This weekend since there's no football, I plan the herculean task of going through the engine bay and tracing out wires that have been painted black and will need to cut and splice wires from a replacement harness I obtained so I can have a neat set of wires (I don't have the intestinal fortitude to dig under the dash and remove the entire setup from there, plus, I've gotten pretty good at cutting and splicing).

When the distributor and ignition coil were replaced (they were both shot), I recleaned the ballast resistor, since the ignition coil the now-fired mechanic installed apparently didn't come with one (I'm not sure they did to begin with, though this item shows the resistor with the ignition coil http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7949069225&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

I did get several suggestions to upgrade the ignition to electrical, but I'm the first to claim defeat in doing some upgrades and I hate every mechanic within a 100-mile radius of my house since almost all have managed to mangle my car.

Finally to my simple request - does anyone have a decent/unused ballast resistor they can part with? The connections on mine are pretty flimsy, and even with solder holding them in place, I really can't risk getting stranded again at nighttime in my Z.

[CoastGuardZ]

Brandy,

Try auto parts giant.com for the ballast resistor. Bosch part 00802 it's $5.20.

Nate

[Brandy]

Brandy,

Try auto parts giant.com for the ballast resistor. Bosch part 00802 it's $5.20.

Nate

I tried that same website yesterday, but when I called to double-check, they cheked their own stock and said that they were out and couldn't tell me if the part would even be re-stocked. That's why I hope to get one used but decent instead.

And when I've learned even more about my car, I definitely will upgrade it to an electric ignition, since it seems that a lot of 240z owners are doing that.

Thanks, though.

[ChrisA]

I plan the herculean task of going through the engine bay and tracing out wires that have been painted black and will need to cut and splice wires from a replacement harness I obtained so I can have a neat set of wires

Hi Brandy, if I may make a suggestion, get yourself a dentist's pick. Then you can remove the terminal and wire completely from your old harness connector and swap in the wire/terminal assy from your new harness. The terminals have a little tang that if depressed with the pick will allow you to remove them from there respective connectors. I have done this many times. It takes some patience but its better than cutting and splicing.

FWIW,

Chris

[civ104]

"That's why I hope to get one used but decent instead."

Brandy, I may have one on my Z. I've got a Pertronix now and have had the resistor bypassed ever since. Works like a charm. I'll take a look this weekend if it warms up a little. Right now, it's showing 18 degrees at 1:22 in the afternoon. :beard:

[Bambikiller240]

Brandy:

Once you have your wiring harness addressed, there is a Technical Article on our website that describes in great detail the installation of a Pertronix Electronic ignition upgrade. It is relatively inexpensive, and quite simple to install. It's a real improvement to eliminate the points and condensor from your car. Take a look in the Technical Articles forum if you are interested.

[Brandy]

Brandy:

Once you have your wiring harness addressed, there is a Technical Article on our website that describes in great detail the installation of a Pertronix Electronic ignition upgrade. It is relatively inexpensive, and quite simple to install. It's a real improvement to eliminate the points and condensor from your car. Take a look in the Technical Articles forum if you are interested.

I've had that article printed out and saved in my ever-growing folders of Things To Do When I Have A Garage. I'm getting better with my car, in that I can look into the engine bay and at least recognize a large portion of what's in there (though I need to get a digital camera so I can take pictures and have you guys identify some things). I plan to do the upgrade, but not at this point.

And the reason that I need to replace the ballast resistor is that it is literally beign held together with duct tape and solder. I DID, however, continue my search for a ballast resistor, and was pleasantly surprised that O'Reilleys has it (Bosch #00802) and that there is a store near my house. So I now have things to do this weekend.

...oh, yeah....yay.....(as I had originally planned to just sleep through this weekend)

But as always, thanks everyone.