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Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition
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Bloodhound
Posted 2017-08-26 8:21 PM (#547095)
Subject: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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I could use a hand with this folks. I'm an amateur when it comes to this so any and all help is most appreciated. So far I have acquired a later model stock distributor and that's it. From here I'm lost. From what I've read here the primary resistance of the coil determines whether or not the ballast resistor can be eliminated. What I'd like to do is bypass the ballast resistor and not install it. I'd like to step up the spark significantly while using the stock generator. Can anyone advise me what I need to make the conversion? After seeing 2 wires on the distributor I was essentially lost. Thanks!

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mstrug
Posted 2017-08-26 8:41 PM (#547096 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Can you tell us which distributor you have? Is it a mopar electronic one or after market? If it is a mopar unit it will need the orange 'box' to drive it and the correct coil. Marc.



(orangeboxwiring.png)



(orangebox2.jpg)



(heiwiring.jpg)



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Attachments orangeboxwiring.png (10KB - 115 downloads)
Attachments orangebox2.jpg (65KB - 129 downloads)
Attachments heiwiring.jpg (157KB - 167 downloads)
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Bloodhound
Posted 2017-08-26 8:43 PM (#547097 - in reply to #547096)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Here's what I'm working with Marc..

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Bloodhound
Posted 2017-08-26 8:47 PM (#547098 - in reply to #547097)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Been awhile and I forgot how to post pics on this site..
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mstrug
Posted 2017-08-26 8:51 PM (#547099 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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see above
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Bloodhound
Posted 2017-08-26 8:53 PM (#547100 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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# 30-3897 fits1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 Plymouth and Dodge cars trucks and vans



Edited by Bloodhound 2017-08-26 9:14 PM
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Bloodhound
Posted 2017-08-26 9:05 PM (#547101 - in reply to #547100)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Thanks Marc... Now what kind of coil am I looking for as to bypass the ballast resistor? This is what I have.. Also, Am I better off going with the mopar ECU or something like MSD?



Edited by Bloodhound 2017-08-26 9:08 PM
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mstrug
Posted 2017-08-26 9:14 PM (#547102 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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All cars produced with breaker-points type ignition generally had a resistor of some sort in their ignition system. Some brands utilized a resistor in the coil or a resistor wire hidden in the wiring from the ignition switch, but Mopar put their resistor (or ballast resistor) on the firewall or inner fender, causing some to misidentify it as a part of the charging system. In simple terms, the ballast resistor in a Mopar limits the amperage, or current flow, through the coil while the engine is running, thereby extending the life of the coil and breaker points of the distributor. When the ignition key is in the start position, full current is applied to the coil and increases voltage to the spark plugs.

In their electronic ignition systems Chrysler utilized a dual ballast resistor, again to extend coil life and provide a constant primary current, with the system also bypassing the resistor to apply full amperage to the coil during startup. In either type of ignition system, points or electronic, the ballast resistor can be removed to increase secondary voltage to the spark plugs, but the long-term effects of removing the resistor differ between the two systems.

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-1110-ballast-resistor-guide-bal...
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mstrug
Posted 2017-08-26 9:22 PM (#547103 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/bypassing-ballast-resis...

and:

The 4 wire ECU's uses the full battery voltage, and the ballast is only for the coil. If you get a coil that does not need a ballast, bypass it.

The article simplistically assumes that all coils can run off 12 volts. The Accel Super Stock canister coil, for example, will burn up without a ballast, I learned that firsthand, 1.5 miles from home. (had to walk it!)

Whether you need a ballast depends on the coil. Make sure about your coil. The HEI style coils don't need one,for example.

In the illustration below, the "start" position of your key sends 12 volts directly to the coil. The Run position send 12 volts to the Ballast, which drops the voltage to the coil to about 5 volts.

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/bypassing-the-ballast-r...

So it seems you can get a full constant 12 volt hei coil and bypass the resistor.
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Bloodhound
Posted 2017-08-26 9:26 PM (#547104 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Thanks Marc. Greg Leggatt's harness is setup for the ballast resistor to be mounted at the coil as opposed to the firewall which is fine by me. Thanks for your help! Moving right along!



Edited by Bloodhound 2017-08-26 9:28 PM
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mstrug
Posted 2017-08-26 9:28 PM (#547106 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Being that dizzy is a mopar; the orange box will have to be used. If you want more power, you can do this also:

http://www.powerperformancenews.com/tech-articles/how-to-tips/spark...

Gotta love a Golden Commando! Marc.

Edited by mstrug 2017-08-26 9:35 PM
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mstrug
Posted 2017-08-26 9:42 PM (#547107 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Another neat thing to do if you want to hide electronic ignition. Use original point dist., hide mopar box and use points as the trigger:

http://www.gofastforless.com/ignition/electronic.htm
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Bloodhound
Posted 2017-08-26 10:23 PM (#547108 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Thanks Marc! I'm tempted to use my original distributor and convert it using a pertronix or other HEI module now that you've got my wheels turning. Looks like I need to do some homework!



Edited by Bloodhound 2017-08-26 10:26 PM
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BigBlockMopar
Posted 2017-08-27 5:54 AM (#547116 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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The HEI-module setup is most simple and runs on 12v entirely.
No more fussing about with resistors and such.
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Bloodhound
Posted 2017-08-27 8:25 AM (#547118 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Can you recommend an HEI module? After reading about some of the failures I'd like to go with something dependable. I assume there's no need for an ECU and the ballast resistor can be bypassed then? I read on another post that adding a solid copper wire between the poles in the ballast is all that's needed?

Thanks!
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mstrug
Posted 2017-08-27 9:23 AM (#547120 - in reply to #547095)
Subject: Re: Need Help Converting 58 Plymouth 350 To Electronic Ignition



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Davis makes an Hei unit: maybe keep a cheap spare just in case, and you have points in there to use if anything goes wrong.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dui-000222?seid=srese1&cm_mmc=pla...

Real Ac-delco seems to good too:

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/where-to-get-good-gm-hei...

Info on bypassing ballast and correct coils:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/threads/bypassing-ballast-resis...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/how-to-trigger-hei-using...

Wiring an HEI to Points:

.

Edited by mstrug 2017-08-27 9:34 AM




(Heiwiringwith points trigger.jpg)



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Attachments Heiwiringwith points trigger.jpg (48KB - 127 downloads)
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