My setup calls for two ballast resistor.
No it does not. You are reading the tag incorrectly.
It's calling out that you need an external resistor, then it's indicating the primary resistance OF THE COIL, 1.55 ohms (or is it 0.45ohms? I have no idea. You'll need to put a ballast resistor of a known value in and see what voltage you have on the coil + to determine a) the actual primary resistance and b) if the ballast is the right one.) That 'Secondary resistance' is also OF THE COIL...
You normally only use one.
I have a 3l mercrusier 140hp
Merc started using the 3 litre engine in 1969, and are still using it. A year would be helpful. Or better yet, the engine serial number.
Mallory 6001m distributor calls for a 1.4 ohm
A 1.4 ohm what? (coil or ballast resistor?)
What ballast resistor does the coil need?
Depends on the coil's primary resistance.
I attached details to my coil
Interesting. I suspect that same box is used to package multiple different coils, and the person at the shop forgot to stroke out the specs that don't apply to the coil in the box when you bought it.
I have a spare .8 ohm resistor but not sure if I can use it or not.
Put it in and measure the voltage at the coil+
with the points CLOSED! It should be around 7 or 8v. If it is, you have the 1.55ohm coil, and you're on a winner. If it's around 5 or 6v, then the coil primary is 0.45ohms, and you'll need a smaller value ballast (like around 0.25ohms) or a coil with 1.55ohm primary resistance. If you measure 12v, the points aren't closed. If you measure 0v, you're on the coil-, not the coil+.
Chris......
