Mixed information

[61LaRk4dr]

This morning I decided to start on installing a ballast resistor to see if I could eliminate my issue with the coil, to be sure what I was doing I went ahead and looked up the wire diagram in the shop mannual. I then noticed that on the wire diagram, two distributor/coil setups were pictured with one saying 61S only and pointing to what appears to be the coil (picture of what I am referring to is the first link below). So I proceeded to follow the 61S wire diagram and found that #22 (which is a black and green wire) goes straight from the coil to the "ign" on the ignition. This is exactly how it is wired on my car. Now this is where it gets confusing, I search a little further in the mannual and found another diagram on a different page (second link) that shows a different setup (one with a pink resistor wire as mentioned before).

My questions are as follows:

Why does it say "On 61S only" on the wire diagram (first link) pointing to the coil, was there a reason for no resistor on this setup?

Should I install the resistor and set it up as per what the second picture (second link) suggests?

Any other input?

The pictures are big to allow for detail.

http://images1.filecloud.com/743576/1untitled.JPG - Wire Diagram
http://images1.filecloud.com/743575/1untitled1.JPG - Other Setup

1947 Studebaker M-5
1948 Studebaker Land Cruiser
1961 Studebaker Lark 4-dr. Sedan

[StudeRich]

The answer is very simple, the Studebaker Chassis Parts Catalog is your FRIEND!! [^] The reason they show two wiring diagrams for '61S only, is SOME have the Coil with a external Resister mounted on it, others use the Pink Resister Wire, use whichever diagram fits your coil! Or a replacement Coil with a built-in resister would use the same wiring as an external one.



StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

No, you can't do that, or you would have TWO Resistors!

Use Dia. #1 If your Coil has no Internal or External Resistance but you are adding one, or if it has the Pink wire and you want to use a external Resistor, disconnect it and run a new wire as we talked about in your previous post.

In other words, just use the 1st. Dia. BUT use the '61S Only Dia. ON THE MAIN VIEW, not the insert view of the Resistance wire as used on the '61S's without external resistor.

The upper Coil view on the Main Dia. simply shows the V-8 setup with the 22c resistance wire and is otherwise the same as the "6" with the #22 wire.

quote:Originally posted by 61LaRk4dr

Should I install the resistor and set it up as per what the second picture (second link) suggests?

StudeRich -Studebakers Northwest Ferndale, WA

[starlightchamp]

i see this question in many forms yet the answers are sometimes based on rote rather than underatanding why a pink resistor wire, adding a resistor, or hoping one is internal to the coil.
The added resistor is a result of the switch in 56-57 to a 12 volt battery. A coil multiplies voltage to the spark plugs through the distributor. The primary of the coil has just a few windings. The secondary has thosands of windings----
The ouput voltage is a function of the ratio of windings--more difference in windings, moe output voltage ( and Mr. Ohm says current and heat). Now higher voltage spark is good --But_--only after iniitial ignition, so getting 12 volts is fine ,but to save the life of the coil,
a reisistor (wire, component() is switched into the circuit to drop the voltage to bwtween 7 & 8 volts while running. So, measure voltage to your coil while engine is running and if it is about 7-8 volts, all is Ok.

Dick Curtis
Old AE , EE in Santa Barbara

[starlightchamp]

I should add that the reduced 12 volts, due to the resistor, results in less arcing of the
distributor points.

1950 Champion Starlight
1963 Hawk GT
Santa Barbara
CA