You learned a good lesson, tracern1. Your engine starts on 12v, but runs on 8.? volts. With ignition in the start position (or when you're depressing your foot pedal to start), you have 12 voilts running in to the coil. When you release your key or let off you foot pedal, it sends 8.? volts to the coil through your resister.

~ Victor
1941 3/4-Ton Pickup (in process). Read about it in the DITY Gallery
1955 Grumman Kurbside "Doughboy" 235/3 on tree w/ OD
1957 3100 - moved on
1959 C4500 Short Bus "Magic Bus" - moved on
1959 G3800 1 Ton Dually "Chief" - moved on
1958 C4400 Viking "Thor" ~ moved on to fellow Bolter