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Triumph TR6 - Is that what I think it is?

I am about to join the ranks of those of us that have switched to Pertronix EI. I have an early '74 with connections as follows: White/Black wire from distributor to (-) coil. One Yellow wire and one covered dark Red wire from harness to (+) coil. There is also a Green wire from the (+) coil that goes to a cylinder, about 3/4" diameter and depth, that is attached to the block with a bracket below and between the distributor and coil. Is this the infamous 'ballast resistor' that I have heard so much about? I've read all the threads about the 'internal wire resistor' but have also read about an external version.
1) Is that what this thing is?
2) How does this relate to my Pertronix hook-up?
I'm not switching coils just yet, sticking with original. Adding magnecor 8.5's.
Thanks,
Keith in Minneapolis; -35 degrees this weekend.
Keith

Keith,

Been there. I switched my 6 to Pertronix last year.

The cylinder is for noise supression. Keep it as they are no longer available. It's won't affect anything to keep it.

On the + side of the coil you have two wires, one is full 12 volt for starting, the other is wrapped in fabric. This is the ballast resister wire. The resistor itself is hidden in the harness. Don't try to find it in the harness - you won't.

If you switch coils, you can go to non-ballast resister if you wish. You'll need to get 12 volts from your fusebox to the hot side of the coil. You can then bypass the two wires currently attached to the + side of the coil.

The red pertronix wire should attach to the fuse box as well (to the fused, switched side).

Best of luck.

Don from Jersey
D Hasara

Keith and Don
To get full advantage of the EI, you should also go the route of a high output coil. Then go good platinum plugs and gap at .35 to .40.
Some futher reading for you..(maybe u have read it if you looked at past threads:)

http://www.vtr.org/maintain/index.html
Regards
Rick C
Rick Crawford

Don:
Another thread says take the Red Pertronox lead to the connector next to the White wire on the fuse box, opposite side from the green wire. Is that the "fused, switched side" you are talking about?

Rick: I've also read about spark plug gap adjustments for the switch to EI only, even if I'm not going to high output coil. True?

Keith
Keith

Keith,

Yes. Open the point gap. I'm at .040. This applies evenwith the standard coil. Yiu are correct about the red wire location - next to the white opposite the green.

I'm emailing from my Dell Axim PDA so please excuse the "non-member" display.

Don from Jersey
Don Hasara

Any suggestions for securely routing that red wire from the Pertronix over to the fuse box?
Keith
Keith

Uh, I think Don ment plug gap to .040. That PDA must be having an effect on his something or other.

Keith, leave a tad bit of slack in it whatever you do.

Jim
Jim Deatsch

Keith,

I taped my lead to the wires going to the coil, then used wire ties to go the rest of the way to the fuse box.

Ignatius
Ignatius Rigor

Jim,

As usual, you and the goose are correct. I meant plug gap, not point gap. You can't really adjust the points when you've replaced them with EI! Can't blame the Dell Axim for that one. Musta been a very early senior moment.

I used the photos Ignatius emailed me last year for wiring and wire routing. Thanks again Ignatius!

Don from Jersey
D Hasara

Don/Ignatius:
Consider sending those wiring photos my way?
TR6@tcinternet.net
Thanks,
Keith
Keith

Keith I am going to go the pertronix way myself when it warms up. Where did you buy it and where's the best deal. thanks dave
dgf Finch

By the way, for an easily disguised and inexpensive method of 'hiding' wiring without going with that "tackwrap" I used small diameter windshield squirter hose or the like. Many diameters of various wall thickness' are available at your local auto parts house.

hth,

Jim (le Goose Papa)
Jim Deatsch

Keith, ...just sent you a couple pictures. - Ignatius
Ignatius Rigor

Dave:
Got my Pertronix from Jeff Zorn at Little British Car Co. Best price I've found, $72.50 Item #P-LU-166A
http://www.lbcarco.com/

Ignatius:
Thanks for the photos. Looks like you went to the Green wire side of the fuse and not the White. Does it matter?

Keith
Keith

If I remember correctly, the terminal I connected to was switched. There was a thread on which side of the fuse box was switched or not, and I can't remember what the conclusion was, but now you have me worried. I will check this again when I get home.
Ignatius

Ah, I think my coffee is kicking in. I may have mine connected to a switched terminal (green side), but not protected by the fuse. I will check this when I get home.
Ignatius

This thread was discussed between 02/02/2004 and 11/02/2004

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