GM HEI conversion - what to do with ballast resistor?

When you get a chance, twist the 2 wires to your distributor pickup. Otherwise, you can get "self-excitation" if the pickup senses the current spikes from the sparks.

That slantsix article is a bit dated. Most today use the 8-pin HEI module w/ GM "external coil" since simpler and more robust wiring. See Megasquirt site. I did that in my 64 Valiant. TrailBeast started selling the parts new, for those who don't junkyard pick like me. So far, just tested it by spinning the distributor by hand (working other issues w/ car). Use a timing light to check for correct polarity of the pickup (should flash when teeth in distributor are aligned). The relays are a good idea. I put a whole relay/fuse box in my two early A's (see post).