What can be the cause of the balast resistor that is mounted on the fire wall to burn up?

Some of the following are:
1. Ign key left "ON" and engine not running, at the time the points are closed.
2. Primary side of coil shorted to its case.
3. Wrong value of resistor installed, as in maybe one for a Chrysler in place.
4. Defective part from the store.
5. Primary distributor wire terminal touching the coil case or wire has a burned spot on the insulation and shorting (touching) ground.

These are just a few, given suggestions with the symptoms you gave.


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Everett 68/350/PG/11.90/115mph

I've also seen some of the cheaper resistors without any insulation on the back....allowing the coil to move around and short out on the firewall....look for a "burn mark" on the firewall where the resistor is mounted......if You do have an open back one........

Thanks guys I found a bare wire