Ignition problem, could use some insight.

[Automotive Stud]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Your resister may not be matched up perfectly for the coil. When the battery gets low it may spin the engine but the load on the battery from the starter
pulls the voltage to coil lower. Some times the engine will fire as soon as you let off the starter button. The engine is still cranking and the voltage to coil increases enough to fire the plugs. It will also kick start with a low battery.
G.M.

I think you may be on to something. I replaced both belts and got them good and tight, everything seemed fine again. I took a ride to Napa about 5 miles away to return the incorrect belt and had the battery tested there just to make sure it's good. It started fine and I went to my friend's house on my way home. When I went to leave there not even 10 minutes later I had no spark again. Same problem as before, nothing with a test light on the coil or new ballast resistor.

He gave me a ride back to my house where I got another coil. After that it started right up. Unfortunately, I left the coil wire hanging and the belt wore through it before I got the rest of the way home. After another ride back to my house for another wire, the car still wouldn't start. This time I bypassed the ballast resistor and it started right up. I'm thinking the new Mallory ballast wasn't really matched to the old yellow top '60's Ford coil I threw on there. I hope that's the case anyway.