Ok. I just replaced the ORIGINAL ballast resistor on my 1959, 292. Now here is the question. Does the resistor have a "burning in period", I don't know what else to call it. I hooked up the new resistor, started the engine, began to smell something hot, and notice a little smoke coming from the new resistor. Is this normal or do I have a problem? I haven't hooked up my volt meter to it yet. I loaned it out and haven't got it back yet.

 

Pretty sure that's not normal. The resistor is there to limit current to the distributor so that the points last longer. Your condenser might be shorted, but I guess if you don't have a meter handy it's hard to check.

Did you *have* to replace the resistor for some reason?

 

the resistor wire was broke in two places.

 

Danleig is right... Either the condenser or coil has gone bad. The new resistor will also burn out if you keep running it.

 

Yeah, probably one of them there catastrophic fails. They're big and tough, but it shouldn't be getting hot enough to burn out. Something is shorted out.

 

B7A-12250-A .. 1957 Resistor is 1957 only (Motorcraft DY-35).

B8A-12250-A .. 1958/59 Resistor (Motorcraft DY-36).

COLF-12250-A .. 1960/70 Resistor Wire-Ignition Coil (Motorcraft DY-37).

61.49" long / Color coded pink / 1.30-1.40 ohms resistance / #20 gauge wire.