[shad88]

I'm attempting to do an HEI conversion and am having trouble understanding the other threads on here. I'm using a 73 Nova wiring harness that had a pertronix ignition installed on the original 6 cyl. The other threads mention a ballast resistor, but I can't find one. At least not one that looks like others I've seen. The closest thing I see is what looks like a relay that was mounted on the firewall above the fuse box in the engine compartment. It has a stud with 3 wires attached. A heavy gauge red wire that looks to have been piggy backed to run to the alternator and starter. An orange wire that runs to the alternator also. Finally a black wire that runs into the fuse box. There is also a separate plastic terminal mounted on the relay with a green and a black wire that run into the fuse box. I also still have the (+) wire that ran to the coil. I understand that only one wire needs to go to the BATT terminal on the distributor, but which one is it? Please don't get too technical, I'm just a novice. Thanks for any help.

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by shad88

I'm attempting to do an HEI conversion and am having trouble understanding the other threads on here. I'm using a 73 Nova wiring harness that had a pertronix ignition installed on the original 6 cyl. The other threads mention a ballast resistor, but I can't find one. At least not one that looks like others I've seen. The closest thing I see is what looks like a relay that was mounted on the firewall above the fuse box in the engine compartment. It has a stud with 3 wires attached. A heavy gauge red wire that looks to have been piggy backed to run to the alternator and starter. An orange wire that runs to the alternator also. Finally a black wire that runs into the fuse box. There is also a separate plastic terminal mounted on the relay with a green and a black wire that run into the fuse box. I also still have the (+) wire that ran to the coil. I understand that only one wire needs to go to the BATT terminal on the distributor, but which one is it? Please don't get too technical, I'm just a novice. Thanks for any help.

GM used a resistor wire in the harness as opposed to a separate ballast resistor. You need to remove this wire and replace it with a regular copper wire.

[shad88]

Any idea what it looks like?

[richard stewart 3rd]

Hi,
The resistance is built into the wire, don't use it,
use a new 10g wire from the starter solenoid to the bat. terminal on the dist. cap, that's it, don.
Rich

[DanTwoLakes]

Hi: I'm going to move this thread to the Electrical section.

Dan

[shad88]

If I understand this correctly I need to run a new wire from the post on the solenoid to the BATT terminal. I already have the battery cable and the piggybacked wire I mentioned earlier that runs to the alternator as well on the same post. So I will have 3 wires on the post of the solenoid? Is this correct? Thanks

[Frisco]

Originally Posted by shad88

If I understand this correctly I need to run a new wire from the post on the solenoid to the BATT terminal. I already have the battery cable and the piggybacked wire I mentioned earlier that runs to the alternator as well on the same post. So I will have 3 wires on the post of the solenoid? Is this correct? Thanks

NO!!!

You need a hot wire that is switched on/off (usually coming from the ignition switch) directly to the BAT terminal on the HEI cap.

No resistor wire with GM HEI!

No ballast resistor with GM HEI!

If the wire is not connected thru a switched source you will have no way to shut it off.

Wiring directly from the starter solenoid will make the ignition "ON" all the time.

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by Frisco

NO!!!

You need a hot wire that is switched on/off (usually coming from the ignition switch) directly to the BAT terminal on the HEI cap.

No resistor wire with GM HEI!

No ballast resistor with GM HEI!

If the wire is not connected thru a switched source you will have no way to shut it off.

Wiring directly from the starter solenoid will make the ignition "ON" all the time.

This is correct, a new fresh wire from a switched source is your best bet. Usually there is an unused source in the fuse block or you can remove the old resister wire and replace it with a regular piece of wire. The resistor wire was usually brown if I recall. With an older car that many people have usually worked on I assume nothing. Check everything and re-run wires as needed.

Chet

[66bowtie]

I don't know if you got an answer to your satisfaction on converting to HEI. But this is a good site with plenty of explanation and tips. Others may have the same questions.
http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/hei.htm

[shad88]

Thanks!!! I was still a little unclear on exactly which wire to use/remove. That was a big help. Should be no problem now.