Well, I mean back in the day. Did they actually change coils in '56 with the changeover to 12 volts? Because it appears little else actually changed (electrically) except the ballast?? See where I'm goin' with that.. I suppose the current carrying requirements have something to do with it.

But then, if the coil was upgraded for 12 volts, why then the need for a ballast in the first place?

Yes there is 6 and 12 Volt standard Coils and Pertronix makes a 6 and 12 Volt Flamethrower Coil. As well as the Pertronix conversion Kits are also 6 and 12 Volt for the Loadomatic Distributors 54 and 55 6 Volt and 56 12 Volt.

  

Well that's what I figured. Makes sense. Is there even such a thing as a "6 volt" and "12 volt" coil then? I think they are marked that way, but.

For a hotter spark bypass the ballast and use their 1.5 ohm ignition coil.

The Ballast Resistor was new in 56 when 12 Volt System was introduced. Also new was the Bypass Circuit for starting the Car with full 12 Volts to Ignition. Prior to that 6 Volt only had one Small Terminal on the Solenoid. 56 was the only Year that full 12 Volts went to the Gauges. After that the step down Regulator was used to drop Voltage to average 6 Volts to Gauges.

  

One thing I've wondered about, was the ballast resistor simply a result of the changeover to 12 volt systems in '57?

Notice that the dash gauge voltages remained the same for many years after, dropped by a voltage regulator. Did 6 volt point systems run straight battery voltage to the coil & points? There aren't "6 volt points" and "12 volt points" as such, correct? See where I'm goin' with that?

Like oldcarmark, I have a Petronix II and their coil.  No resistor per their instructions.  While I haven't had it a long time, I have made a very long trip (6,3000 miles) with it along with some shorter trips and haven't any problems.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

That is correct as far as U can leave the Resistor in. Just cuts down Voltage from 12 to about 9.6-10 Volts. I had a Pertronix 11 and the Flamethrower Coil on the 56 I sold this Summer  with no Resistor for over 10 Years. Never had a problem with either the Coil or the Unit itself. One of the first things I did on my recent Purchase was to install 57 Type Distributor, Pertronix 11, and the correct Flamethrower Coil( with no Resistor).

  

I installed a Pertronics ll in my 56 6 yrs ago using their coil and a 57 dist. I had read online of complaints concerning coils, theirs and other brands, prior to installing the unit. I choose to use my stock ballast resister. I called them concerning doing this (they are local to me in San Dimas, Ca.) the tech said its OK, you just won't have quite as hot a spark.
it has performed flawless, never failed, qwik starts cold or warm. I've checked the plugs twice in that time and did not change them. I'm glad I installed their unit after 2 failed condensers.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

I have a Pertronix 1281 Module in my 57 distributor.  I currently have the ballast resistor connected.  After I have fired the engine and things settle down a bit I will contact Pertronics Tech Support to get their advice on a coil.  Thanks.