lefty1: Put a Volt meter on that ballast resister with the key on. Should read about 6 volts if good. 12 volts if bad. That is with the points closed.
tcleaderman: Profit! Motor company gets to sell you a new part.
To the question of internal resistance coil verses external ballast resister? I can think of only one reason that the external resister is better: Hotrod Lincoln has stated it very well. My reason? Beware, opinion time, ballast resister is easy to find, replace, and test. I don't think they fail any more often than the coil will. Disclosure: I have no scientific evidence to back up the longevity claim. Just experience. And mine might not be any thing like yours.
