Ballast resistor getting hot....anyone?

[qwick68]

I got my 68 running again after the new 440 install, I noticed with the key in the on position my ballast resistor became hot.....I removed the battery cables and let it cool then removed it.  I installed another resistor and fired up the car with no issues.  The first resistor was a brand new piece, the wiring harness is new, the car does not have electronic ignition and all the ignition parts are new.....any suggestions.....

[A383Wing]

resistors get hot when they are cutting down the voltage...

how hot was it?

[qwick68]

It was pretty hot, more hot than warm....it did not get hot when the car was running though.....

[mhinders]

It's all normal. If the ignition is switched on, and the points in the distributor happen to be closed...you get a big current thru the coil, and the resistor gets hot (at the same time protecting the coil). When the engine is running, the current thru the resistor is switched on/off with the rpms, and thus less current/power thru the resistor, and less heat.
All ok, don't worry.
Martin