Hard start...

I would guess you forgot to connect the bypass circuit to the run line. This is the wire from IGN2 on the key, often but not always brown, that connected to the coil side of the ballast resistor.

Get a meter. Connect to coil + and ground. Turn key to "run" position. See what voltage reads, which now that you have eliminated the ballast, ???? should be full battery voltage. YOU DID?? eliminate the ballast, right?

Now, watching meter, crank the engine with the key. Read the meter. If zero, the above is your problem. If you still have "same as battery" cranking voltage, then I don't know

DO YOU HAVE a service manual? If not, run over to MyMopar.com and download one, free. Some of us right here is why that and others are over there

The manual, page 8-154, bottom right terminal of the ballast, is J3-24BR, feeds to the coil positive, and goes off the page to the right

Then go to page 8-156, bottom left, find J3-18 BR coming in from off the page. Follow it up to "start and ignition switch." THAT IS INCORRECTLY drawn. It shows that wire going to the same terminal as the "start" wire, S2-12Y. They actually are separate contacts

When the key is in "start," the J3 wire comes alive, and the "ignition run" wire goes dead. The J3 wire, IGN2, is the ONLY power supply during cranking, to the ignition syustem