C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Points Eliminator keeps failing

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 16, 2011 | 02:19 PM
  #21  
70ZZ3 96LT4's Avatar
70ZZ3 96LT4
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
Default ballast resistor

Originally Posted by 7T1vette
The '68 C3 did have a rectangular ballast resistor mounted to the firewall. GM went to the 'built in resistance wire' in '69. If you have original wiring harness in your '68 car, it does NOT have a resistance wire built into it.
1967 is the last year for a firewall mounted ballast resistor for Corvettes. 1968 was the first year model Corvette that used a resistor wire from the engine side of the fuse block to the coil. My original owner 1968 Corvette came this was from the factory in FEB 1968.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2011 | 02:24 PM
  #22  
70ZZ3 96LT4's Avatar
70ZZ3 96LT4
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 911
Likes: 5
From: TN
Default Ign

Originally Posted by vettehardt
When you go to the HEI, you will want 12V going to the coil. The best way is to put a terminal end on a wire and plug it into the IGN post on your fuse block. Run that wire out through the firewall and put a terminal on the other end to plug into the HEI.
Good information. When I hooked up the HEI for my 1970 Corvette that came in my ZZ crate engine, this is the way I put 12 volts to the HEI, real simple with plug connectors on each end.
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2011 | 08:37 AM
  #23  
opata's Avatar
opata
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eudora KS
Default

You all have provided some excellent info! Thank you! My HEI should arrive today. I plan on hooking it up this eve...looks like a simple install. Do I need to increase the spark plug gap to 45? I'll post as to if it works Thanks again for every ones help!!
Alan
Reply
Old Feb 17, 2011 | 10:51 AM
  #24  
spinadog's Avatar
spinadog
Pro
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 3
From: Bloomfield Hills MI
Default

Originally Posted by 70ZZ3 96LT4
1967 is the last year for a firewall mounted ballast resistor for Corvettes. 1968 was the first year model Corvette that used a resistor wire from the engine side of the fuse block to the coil. My original owner 1968 Corvette came this was from the factory in FEB 1968.
Redemption!
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2011 | 10:55 AM
  #25  
opata's Avatar
opata
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eudora KS
Default

Hello,
I started the HEI install but ran into some timing issues....I wont be able to fix it until next week.....

Alan
Reply
Old Feb 18, 2011 | 11:29 PM
  #26  
wheatpj's Avatar
wheatpj
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: St. James, NC
Default

Originally Posted by Solid LT1
I was surprised that Accel was offering a point eliminator kit that was exactly like the old Mallory Unilite system. Back in the late 70's early 80's when the Unilite was first offered it was a complete POS and quickly gained a reputation of bad reliability.

I myself won't trust an optical triggering system and stick with Hall effect systems like the Pertronix Ignitor.

Use an Ignitor II or III system and you won't have to worry about ballast resistors and other components that may also be failing. I don't think you can beat an Ignitor III system with a 0.32ohm coil, the spark is hot and the rev limiter is built in and easily adjustable.

I also have the Ignitor III with the Pertronix 0.32ohm coil in my LS5, works great.
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2011 | 07:40 PM
  #27  
opata's Avatar
opata
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eudora KS
Default

If I cant get the HEI working I'll go with that instead...dang car.....wearing me out Oh well....I'll get to work on it tomorrow after work......
thanks!
Alan
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 06:48 PM
  #28  
opata's Avatar
opata
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eudora KS
Default

Hello,
yea! Got it running! Runs great except when I hook up the vacuum advance the engine speeds up id say 1000 rpm??? Without the vacuum advance hooked up car runs great??? It did not have a vacuum adv. on the distributor I replaced. Any help is greatly apprecialted.
Thank you!
Alan
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 07:06 PM
  #29  
Chromie69's Avatar
Chromie69
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: York Pa.
Default

I am glad you got it running.. .the tough part is getting it to run right..not really but when your frustrated it can only make it worse ..what I do if I having a problem that is driving me nuts is usually smash the trash can next to my box and throw a hammer!....nah...just kidding..made you laugh though..I hope..what you describe is idle increase with the vacuum advance hooked up..sounds like you may have an adjustable advance? If you have one it may say it on the install directions it came with...oops I said directions..lol..it is usually changed with a small allen head wrench that you stick in where the vacuum plugs into..it may be set to the lowest setting..if you have time also I would read over the sticky on how and what you need to set the timing right on..this is a guess on the vacuum being adjustable..but there has to be a reason why the timing would advance when you hook up the vacuum..you should be able to verify it with a timing light! Have fun! Sit down and relax a little..sounds like this one is almost done!
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 07:52 PM
  #30  
opata's Avatar
opata
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eudora KS
Default

Chromie69,
Thank you for the reply! You did make me laugh...good to have a since of humor when dealing with cars Come to think of it...I think it did come with an allen wrench. I'll have to check and read more of the instructions The engine is a camed up 350 but I have no idea what type of cam the PO put in it? Would this affect timing? I'll piddle around with more and see what I can find.
Thank you!
Alan
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 08:26 PM
  #31  
Chromie69's Avatar
Chromie69
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: York Pa.
Default

Ok so it might have adjustable vacuum..if you pop the allen wrench in there turn it in to increase pressure on the diaphragm ..now..to set this up correctly everything must be adjusted all at one time..from idle mixture to base timing or total advance..I think its easiest to try to go with the sticky on this and if you hit a road block kick the dog and ...no no not that again I am being silly again..post up a q and see what happens..from what I know its snowing out there as it is here so you got time!
Reply
Old Feb 21, 2011 | 08:38 PM
  #32  
opata's Avatar
opata
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Eudora KS
Default

Thanks again for the reply So I put the allen wrench in the vacuum port of the advance where the hose goes? I'll give it a shot tomorrow or next day. I'll then check out the sticky. Yup cold out no snow here yet! I'm ready for spring
Thanks again!
Alan
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:07 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE