XJ6 Series 1 ballast and ignition

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Aug 5, 2019 | 04:29 PM
  #1  
I have installed electronic ignition from Pertronix and love it. Flamethrower 3 Ohm coil too.
They recommend removing any ballast resistors as it affects spark performance. Also I have noticed the ageing Smith's rev counter to be slow and under read now(checked with my strobe).
Question : will removing the ballast resistor put anything else at risk (such as the rev counter) in that signal chain?
I know it is there to "help" the coil get enough power when cranking in colder weather.
Thanks.
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Aug 5, 2019 | 07:10 PM
  #2  
Yes, the ballast resistor should be removed, and no harm to anything. Resistor was covering for inherent weakness in coil/points setup, resolved with Pertronix distributor. They do recommend "Relay Setup" to get full battery power to + side of coil. Pertronix has their own relay kit for $35, or you can wire your own with 30-amp relay from any auto parts store. You can mount relay on Ignition Coil Bracket. Route and secure #10 Red wire with 30 amp inline fuse from Battery + post, to Relay with tie-wraps as needed.

Several issues with Tach: some models have it coming from + side of coil and late models jaguars having it coming from - side of coil. If yours was coming from + side of coil thru the ignition ballast resistor, then a resistor may be needed between + side of coil and Tach. See attached PDFs for (+ or -) tach hook-up fixes.
Rgds
David


Typical Ignition Relay Wiring

Probably #10 wire to battery post would be fine for the distance you have. Your Tach maybe off + side of coil.


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