big volts

72 duster 225 slant, points, been sitting a lot since last fall.

always been running driving car. the batt, is new. reads 12.6 at the battery, when running the ballast reads like 16.5 and 18.5 v. ( key on, ign 1, I get 13-15 v and 16 -18 v. the meter bounces all around) I ground the meter at the battery and scrap it on the outer casing of the vr, the meter reads 6 or so v.

the vr is the flat case type not the earlier type. bad VR or ?????

I found this my accident. I h from engine. the have 3 good grounds at the engine. I have cleaned the firewall and back of vr.........?