I just got my MSD 6AL and blaster coil in the mail. Rebuilt electronic dizzy from A13 is on it's way from Ebay. My question is, with this setup do I need to run the ballast resistor or not.

I read something from the tech section about adding a relay, but it appears the MSD box has one internally because one wire goes straight to the battery and another to the ignition switch.

Any help as to wiring this specific setup should be done would be greatly appreciated.

With electronic ignition it uses a 12V signal to the coil. The reason for the ballast resistor is to save your points from burning out all the time. (Well to my knowledge)
Cheers
Damo

This is the way I figure it too but just not sure. Just wanted to make sure before I fry something.

Also gives the coil a break..I think. I've seen coils get so hot, that gooey stuff comes out of them. I thought that was from running 12V all of the time.

I've seen lots of old cars where the ballast has been removed..I'm not sure what the requirements are, whether they are tied into the points or the coil.

eg.
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/ballast.html

I don't like to side with the "Triumph" people..on the risk of bringing the name "Steven" and term "econobox" back into our minds..But It appears I was right about the coils being the problem. So read the coil documentation before removing the ballast resistor.

Chris.

The coil is normally powered by 7-8 volts through the ballast resistor. To help starting when voltages are reduced due to cranking the ballast is by passed giving full battery voltage. Running a coil that is designed for a ballast on 12V causes it to overheat and fry.

The MSD 6AL uses a 12 volt coil.

Thanks for your help guys!

I've been running without the ballast resistor on the electronic (210) distributor and Accel Super Coil for like 5 years now and never had a problem melting or burning anything. I also have added an MSD 6AL within the last year and it has not fried anything either. In fact, my MSD 6AL would NOT work with the ballast resistor hooked up! I wonder what plug gap to run though??? Maybe open it up .010" or so...my V-8 Buick it made a huge difference opening up the plug gap w/MSD.

BTW, it looks like my Datsun has recently arrived here in Japan, it's going to be a little while before I can pick it up due to paperwork/customs, but it's been a month now without my baby and I can't wait to be with it again....Matsuoka Engineering is on the way to the Port! Anyways, enjoy the difference a strong ignition makes, I noticed a difference!

-Andy

The elctronic dissy's all use 12 volt coils so a ballast isnt needed.
I have a 6AL on my B310 - L20B engine.
I had some fun on the dyno when it kept cutting out at 6250 rpm by autotriggering the rev limiter. Repair cost $325

a few people have done the nissan pulsar dizzy conversion.
does that require a resistor or not??

mo,the pulsar distributor does the voltage drop internally,so you need a resistor coil,but can throw away the ballast resistor itself.