Pertronixs and ballast

If you have the newer Pertronix Ignitor II, then the answer is no ballast resistor is needed. See below. I don't know about their earlier module.

One more thing, if you don't use the ballast resistor, don't remove it. It's a dual resistor. The right side (with the blue wires) triggers your tach. The left side (with the red wires) provides resistance to the coil. The spade lugs are sort of "spot welded" to the ballast resistor and are not meant to be removed. But if you wiggle them a little, they will come free. Simply connect those two lugs (red wires) together to bypass the ballast resistor. Leave the blue wires alone. FYI Pertronix makes a coil (Flame-Thrower II) that is designed for the Ignitor II module and no ballast resistor.
I have the Pertronix and it was an easy installation and works great. Good luck.

You don't need a ballast resistor with the original pertronix as long as you use a coil with at least 1.5 ohms resistance(stock). This rule does not apply if you are using a box (msd ect.)
regards...Mark