8N 12 volt resistor

If you have an aftermarket "12-Volt" coil, or a side-mount distributor with a "round-can" coil, post back for different instructions.

Your 12-to-6 volt converting resistor should NOT gitt hott-enuff to melt yer thermo-plastic wiring insulation. Howsomevers, don't lay plastic insulation directly on-top or next to the HOT resistor because guess what? itt'll melt. (n.b..... .check the wiring of electric stoves, they use "fabric" insulation, (nomex, fiberglass, asbestos) because the heating elements, which are resistors, gitt HOT on purpose)

Your description of running, then loosing sparkie power can be caused by loose points that close because of invisable thread wear of the SHORT #8-32x3/16" points screw. p/n: 355047-S7. $50c, (cheap) Wannna guess what happens to yer 12-to-6 volt resistor when the points slipp closed?

YES, iff'n you continue to use yer OEM 6-volt squarecan ignition coil, you must use BOTH the OEM "infamous ballast resistor" AND the 12-to-6 volt converting resistor. OTHERWIZE you will MELT the squarecan ignition coils insulative tar and have weak sparkies..... ....Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister and 12-volt advocate for the right reason

The current limiting function of "each" ballast Resistor results in a resistive change of ~ 1.0 ohm (increase) during operation.

The 12 volt Alt outputs 14.5 Volts and to limit
that to 3 amps you need a total 4.8 ohms of Circuit resistance (~3.8 ohms in Ballast +(Plus)coil 1.0 Ohm)

I hope this Helps,

Reading through these messages I began to get the feeling that you might have used a resistor that is too small. You should have one of the big automotive type ceramic resistors that mount to the firewall with a screw and have two male spade lugs for connecting to your wiring. Mine is about 1/2 inch square and 3 inches long. It gets pretty warm, but certainly not hot enough to melt anything.

The other issue is "over-voltage" The Alt is not a toy and if not correctly connected ...and/or has a defective regulator (or diode) you could get 18V on the ignition circuit. A diode in the excite wire will "prevent" such over-voltage conditions.

Good Luck,