ignition resistor 64 scout Help

[skijorer38]

Help,
I am confused. I recently purchased a 64 scout 80 and the distributor was torn apart. I found the parts to put it back together but when i went to NAPA they sold me a coil with an ignition resistor (little white part) When I look service manual I also see a picture of the resistor but when I look at the wiring diagram it shows a resistor used with a generator but not an alternator. My scout has an alternator. My questions are 1. Do I have the right coil ? Do I need this resistor? Also to note in the wiring diagram it shows for an alternator that the ignition switch wire must be 72 inches it seems if I add this resistor it will mess up that resistance.


Please help I really want to get this rig running

thanks

JH

[Shoehorn]

The resistor has absolutely nothing to do with your alternator.

The resistor is supposed to be in the +12v lead to your coil to cut it to 6v. It's a points thing. Basically, it will make your points last a hell of a lot longer. Do you need it? No, not really. I ran without one for 2 years, but I changed points 3 times. Without the resistor, you can gap your plugs to .040 or .045, which will be better for performance, but it's going to be a headache on the points. I would recommend using the resistor, and gapping you plugs to .030.

I would also check to make sure you don't have a resistor wire in the harness before you use it.

If you do have a resistor wire, get that garbage out of there. It's nothing but trouble. It gets hot, and it's bundled up with a bunch of wires you really don't want to burn.

The ballast resistor you have there is a much better option. Just screw it to the firewall, and run your wire to the + side of your coil through it before it gets to the coil.