57 Cadillac Series 62. What is this electric part?

[TBZ_57_Series_62]

I was looking and this part appears it might have a small crack... I was looking to identify and probably replace, so if anyone can help with what this does and where i might find one to purchase.

The picture rotated after upload (don't know why)... just to clarify, the part sits on the firewall on driver's side next to the brake booster.

Thank you
Ted

[TBZ_57_Series_62]

I looked online and this does not look like any ballast resistors i've found... I have uploaded  another photo that might make it easier to id.

Thanks
Ted

[carguyblack]

I had a 1957 Oldsmobile that had one of these resisters on the firewall area that was for the speed control reostat of the blower motor. Used to glow like a toaster if looking at it at night with the blower motor running.  Perhaps that is what Cadillac did that year, too.
Chuck

[wbdeford]

I think carguyblack is right....heater resistor...deleting my earlier comment, since it was wrong.

[Dave Burke]

Yep,  ballast resistor.  Got one on my '57 in the same place. 

Dave Burke

[TBZ_57_Series_62]

I've looked online for ballast resistor,  but none look like the one in my car... does anyone know where I might find this exact part?
Mine has 3 terminals, the ones I see online have 2


Ted

[TBZ_57_Series_62]

I found a wiring diagram and it looks like it is the heater resistor... can anyone confirm this and does anyone know where I can purchase one?

Ted

[J. Gomez]

If the resistance wire inside is intact you could service yours, just epoxy the cracks on the ceramic case.

The resistance wire inside the case would be filled with ceramic cement to control and dissipate the heat from the wire; you may need to re-apply a new coat.

Good luck..!

[wbdeford]

According to the '57 shop manual wiring diagram, page 12-46, the coil resistor (a.k.a. ballast resistor), has 3 wires: pink, black, and yellow.  Those don't match the picture here at all.  But it shows light blue, dark blue, and 2 dark greens going to the heater resistor.

I can't quite tell what color the top wire is in the pic--at first I thought it was green, but it could be blue--but the bottom definitely shows 2 dark green and 1 dark blue.  Heater resistor.

[Rod Dahlgren #19496]

Yep, Ballast resistor for 57 Cadillac is what you have there-- No question about it.

[TBZ_57_Series_62]

Rod, I cannot find a single image of a ballast resistor online that looks like my part, but i can find images of other 57 caddys that have this exact part (just like mine)... how might i find this part to purchase another... does anyone know where they sell this part or if my part has another name?

Thank you everybody for your help.
Ted

[Walter Youshock]

Did you try Fusick?

[Rod Dahlgren #19496]

In the 1957 Shop Manual on page 320 -- section 12-46  -- figure 12-66 You will see this resistor in the diagram. It is for the heater blower motor- NOT the ignition. They changed it in 1958, then in 59 it was changed again.