1971 questions
#1
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Thread Starter
1971 questions
I have a couple of questions for a 350/4sp/w-A/C...1st - do I have a "ballast resistor" If so, where is it located in engine compartment? Color of wires? 2nd - I found an unattached connector w/ 1 brown & 1 blue wire near windshield wiper motor on firewall... in a "semi-fried" condition. Insulation is cracking and can tell it got hot at one time. Not sure what it is, since everything seems to be working on car. Anyone have answers?? Thanks...Tom
#2
Safety Car
Ballistic resistor is usually 2 inches long and white with 1 wire in and 1 wire out. Sometimes they're located on the manifold with a bolt holding it down and sometimes they're on the fire wall. I'm not sure if 71 corvette has one...
#3
Race Director
'71 used a resistance wire. It goes from the fuse block (engine side) to the coil. If memory serves it had a fabric/textile sleeve over it. It's been years since I removed it.
#4
Melting Slicks
On my 71 the wire appears to be off white in color it may have been yellow at one time with what I thought was a heat resistant fabric covering.
#6
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Thread Starter
Thanks for your replies...car has HEI (going to remove) which could account for ballast resistor being removed? I just got Qjet and original distributor back from Lars. So if it is not there...need it for dist installation...? Correct ?
As for blue/tan wire being for step-up idle solenoid...it to is no longer present.
As always...knowledge abounds @ CF.
As for blue/tan wire being for step-up idle solenoid...it to is no longer present.
As always...knowledge abounds @ CF.
#10
Team Owner
The resistance wire (ballast) is needed IF you are installing a points-type distributor and a stock ignition coil. If you choose to install an electronic ignition module (aftermarket conversion) in that stock dizzy, you may or may not need the resistance wire; it would depend on the type of electronic module you install. Also, the coil should be compatible with the type of ignition system you install.
#11
Do yourself a favor and call a company that sells wiring harnesses for corvettes,ask them to sell you the resistance wire from the engine harness.They should be willing to do that for a nominal charge.When you get it remove the engine harness ***,2 bolts.Remove the ignition wire that's in there and put the new wire in. Reinstall harness and you're good to go.Check you're wiring diagram for which wire it is as it's been many years since I did mine.I would be reluctant to put a ballast resister in there.If you don't get the voltage right one of 2 things will happen,1,the car won't run right,or you will burn out the points in short order.
#12
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Thread Starter
Do yourself a favor and call a company that sells wiring harnesses for corvettes,ask them to sell you the resistance wire from the engine harness.They should be willing to do that for a nominal charge.When you get it remove the engine harness ***,2 bolts.Remove the ignition wire that's in there and put the new wire in. Reinstall harness and you're good to go.Check you're wiring diagram for which wire it is as it's been many years since I did mine.I would be reluctant to put a ballast resister in there.If you don't get the voltage right one of 2 things will happen,1,the car won't run right,or you will burn out the points in short order.
#14
Le Mans Master
Buy new wiring harnesses from forum vendor Wilcox Corvette! Years ago when I restored my wife's 70 LT-1 I decided to can all the vehicle wiring harnesses, I got some people together to do a dealership buy from Lectric Limited and Wilcox could beat dealer direct pricing! We all ended up buying our stuff individually through Wilcox.
#15
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#16
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Contacted both by phone and neither will sell just the resistance wire. One suggested getting a donor wire from an old harness...the other suggested an "external ballast resistor" from an earlier corvette year. Not going for NCRS, just want a decent running car. Thoughts...or suggestions welcomed...Thanks Tom
#17
Le Mans Master
Contacted both by phone and neither will sell just the resistance wire. One suggested getting a donor wire from an old harness...the other suggested an "external ballast resistor" from an earlier corvette year. Not going for NCRS, just want a decent running car. Thoughts...or suggestions welcomed...Thanks Tom
Link: http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...php?cPath=1980