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Old 04-03-2007, 05:09 PM
Bee Time Bee Time is offline
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Default MSD and Wiring Question

I'm installing an MSD 8386 Distributor (without an MSD box) on a '69 440. The instructions say to bypass the Ballast Resistor when connecting the red wire of the distributor to the circuit. Which side of the Ballast is the "input" (unresisted) side? The side with the heavy gauge Brown and Blue wires (drivers side) or the side that has a single blue wire of lesser gauge (passenger side)?

Thanks
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Old 04-03-2007, 05:22 PM
BJSracing BJSracing is offline
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You will have a blue wire and a brown wire coming from the bulkhead connector. The blue is hot in the run position and the brown is hot in the start. You will need to hook these two together and then go to the switched power on the distibutor. They should be the heavier guage wire IIRC.
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Old 04-03-2007, 07:01 PM
Bee Time Bee Time is offline
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Thanks BJSracing, if I understand you correctly, the side of the Ballast Resistor that has the heavier gauge wires on it is the 'full current' side of the Ballast Resistor?
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Old 04-03-2007, 11:23 PM
dodger1 dodger1 is offline
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The side with blue & brown wires is the input from the ignition switch.(Blue is "run", brown is "start") Or "full current" as you describe it. They are the 2 you need to connect directly to the MSD distributor as per their instructions.
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Old 04-03-2007, 11:32 PM
Bee Time Bee Time is offline
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I think I've got it now - the blue 16 gauge wire on the feed side of the Ballast is 'run' position and the brown 14 gauge wire on the other side of the Ballast is 'start' position. Both need to be connected to the wire supplying power to the distributor. The only wire that will remain on the 'resistor' side of the Ballast is the wire going to the + side of the coil.

All input is appreciated. Thanks again...
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  #6  
Old 04-04-2007, 12:56 AM
wilks3 wilks3 is offline
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You should be able to take the wire from the ballast to the coil off now because theres no current going through it. For that matter you can take the ballast off too.There should be wires from the distributor to drive the coil now.
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