1953 Jubilee converted to 12 Volt - problems...

Assuming that you are set up 12 Volt NEGATIVE GROUND, connect the wire from ignition switch to (+) side of new coil, (-) side of new coil to distributor.

If you feel you need to make it difficult, and use a coil that needs an external resistor, ANY AND ALL RESISTORS GO BETWEEN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE COIL.

No resistors, EVER, between the coil and the points, OK?

Also, ballast or voltage-dropping resistors in coil circuits get HOT, even when the ignition system is operating properly. So a hot resistor is not necessarily an indication of problems.

The coil I have purchased is typically used on a 57 chevy with a resistor (local mechanic"s recommendation). I suppose that the resistor that is paired with this coil (O"Reilly autoparts states this is it"s match) would go up on the steering post? Will "any" 12 V coil that doesn"t req. a resistor work? Or is there a specific auto year or type?

By the way, the orig. problem fried the key switch. When the switch was replaced and ignition is on I could smell the resistor (wire smell) getting hot long before I burnt my fingers. Just how hot do they get?

If you go the other route, a "generic" 12 Volt coil that does not need an external resistor should be fine. (NOT application specific.)

The ballast resistor will be quite warm in normal operation, and with the key "ON", engine NOT running, points closed, it will quickly get hot enough to burn you!

Good Luck!