How hot should a ballast resistor get?

[V8PunkRocket]

I think my wiring may still be wrong.

I tried cranking my Buick up today, but it wouldn't fire. This is only the 2nd time I have tried to start it; the first time it started but only ran for about 5-8 seconds. Ran out of fuel, I think, as I had to pour gas down the carb and the fuel pump was sucking fuel out of a gas can nearby.

Anyway, I had some starter issues to sort out that I just got fixed today. I went to crank it up today, and no fire. I have installed a new coil since the last start, but I noticed that my ballast resistor was hot - quite hot - and my coil was hot too. I didn't crank it much at all, so I am curious about if it should be that hot. (This is my first non-HEI engine)

Thanks gang.

[DaWildcat]

They can get so hot that they'll smoke when new...that's normal.

If the resistor stays cool with the ignition on, it's a sign that either it's not getting current, or the resistor itself is bad.

Devon

[V8PunkRocket]

So it getting hot is normal then...I suppose there isn't a problem!

Thanks!

[66electrafied]

The resistor itself will get hot, but the coil shouldn't. You should be able to start the car without the resistor, but in order for it to stay running, it should be in place. Check your wiring again. Check the coil; if it's internally resisted, then you've got a problem, and the coil will overheat.

[V8PunkRocket]

The coil says to use an external resistor or a primary resistance wire, and it's currently hooked up with one.

I don't have the bypass wire connected yet, just the wire from the ballast resistor. I take it the bypass wire and the wire from the resistor connect to the same post on the coil.

Now, to make sure the previous owner had this wired right, the wire from the resistor attaches to the + post and the - post goes to the distributor, right?

Sorry if these seem like basic, newbie questions, I'm just so unfamiliar with this setup.

[rmstg2]

Sounds ;ike the wires are right. The by pass wire gives a full 12 volts to the coil when starting which assists in the start up. It would help to have it hooked up. you might try different coil. Good Luck
Bob H.