I need some help with an old Dodge truck.

Cope said
Bob at Hot Rod Wires says I need a new 12V condenser. It looks like I can just use one out of the old 1971 Dart parts?

Can I just use a standard 1970s points condensor?

He also mentioned I need ignition balest resistor.

If we are rewiring this entire truck AND changing the voltage why do we need that stupid resistor?

What dose that thing do again? (All our cars run MSD units now.)

Thanks again for your advice.

He is full of beans. There is no such thing as a "12V condenser" as applied to a distributor. all condensers (capacitors) have a maximum working voltage rating, so the thought might have been "on the right track." But a distributor conenser sees a big hi voltage pulse, and whatever fits the original distributor will work fine

The coil ballast is going to depend on what coil you use. Do NOT use a 6V coil. Use either a 12V coil, that is, one designed to run straight off 12V, or better yet use one off a 12V Mopar and matching ballast. THERE IS GOOD REASON to use a ballasted setup. The balllast helps regulate coil power, and it allows you to wire up a bypass circuit like all 12V cars used "with points." What this does, is to give you a straight battery shot at the coil when cranking, and therefore gives you a hotter spark when cranking.

I can help you with that later on, there's a couple ways to do so. Basically, Mopar 12V era ignition switch, or a relay, or a great big diode. Depending on how the starter is set up you might be able to use a 60-70's fender mount solenoid. Some of those old girls would have had a foot operated starter---mechanical, no solenoid