An interesting discussion here. From my electronics background, I'd like to weigh in with one point that is overlooked.
It is true, the resistor, coil primary, and breaker points form a series circuit and circuit current will be the same regardless of the order of components.
However, when the points open, the coil primary and the condenser then form another series circuit to "discharge" the energy in the coil primary, induce a high voltage in the coil secondary and create the spark at the plug.
The circuit designers match the capacitance value of the condenser with the inductance value of the coil to give the greatest efficiency to the coil primary/condenser series circuit and hence the hottest spark.
In theory, to add a resistor in the coil primary/condenser series circuit will in effect create a defective condenser and reduce the circuit efficiency and hence the spark.
So, as far as the placement of the resistor in the circuit, the points don't care, but the condenser does.
The reason the circuit will operate with the resistor between coil and distributor is that the resistance of the resistor is very low, probably less than 2 ohms.
This is my reasoning why the resistor is properly placed between the switch and the coil and not the coil and distributor.
I don't have a tractor with resistor to experiment so would be curious to hear the results if anyone can experiment with the actual placement of the resistor.
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