'56 Ford Wiring Mess...

So what the hell is this? Its a little white box (more of a rectangle really) mounted on the firewall with two leads hooked to the top terminal (one going to a POS after market amp gauge and one from switched power) and one wire from the lower terminal going to the coil. I know enough to know this is the switched power to the coil but whats up with the box? I dont have an amp meter to check the amps but when I use my test light with the key on the top terminal shines bright and the lower is dim and the box gets hotter then hell... Does this drop the voltage down to 6V for the coil? Sorry if this is a stupid question... Tried to post a picture but couldn't, anyways I think you get the idea...

 

sounds like a bomb. pissed anybody off?

 

It is the ignition resistor, used before coils had a built in resistor.

 

Sorry for the double post, I got an error message after I submitted the first one so hit post again and it did it twice...

 

It is the ignition resistor, used before coils had a built in resistor.

 

It is the ignition resistor, used before coils had a built in resistor.

 

So is it something I can do away with if I get a new coil?

 

Looks like I'm not the only one having problems with multiple posts today..

 

Hahahaha!

 

Hahahaha!

 

Sounds like one of them there voltage reducers that are ceramic with resistive wire in it.

 

Sounds like one of them there voltage reducers that are ceramic with resistive wire in it..