ballast resistor heating up?

[73-charger-383]

when cranking my car to get it started my ballast resistor heats up......once it's running it says pretty warm, but not hot.......any ideas, or is this normal?

[Ghoste]

Likely normal.  They operate by heat, that's why they are housed in that big insulator.  They allow full amperage to go through for cranking and the heat brings the resistance up and kills the current off a bit for regular operation.

[73-charger-383]

i just was looking at the wiring diagram for the 73 and noticed that the coil + wire comes in before the ballast resistor.......i've got mine wired after......how big of a difference is this going to make? 

[Ghoste]

I don't think it would hurt the resistor but your coil life will probably be shortened.  I'd bet it's running a lot hotter than normal.