No spark?

Im not near the car right now but im pretty sure it was the negative side. It is the side that goes directly to the 5 pin ignition box. I had the ignition key on for a while making sure i had the right power wire for the tach and speedo. Thats when i noticed the coil was super hot. Tried to start it and nothing. Could the ballast be hooked up wrong since i bought it? Im not sure how it goes but i have the connector with the 4 wires on the side open on the end and NOT the inward hole. Am i just burning up coils this way?