So I'm switching from points to an HEI as I should have done a while ago. In theory, I should have a resistance wire from the bulkhead to the points distributor that drops it from 12v to 9v, and this should be replaced for the full 12v HEI distributor. Upon poking around I see that I have a wire running from the bulkhead to one side of a small rectangular box. From the other side of the box, a wire runs to the points distributor.

I tested the wires, and both the bulkhead/box wire and the box/points wire have a full 12V in the start and run key positions. There is no other connection to the weird box, which is maybe 1x1x3 inches. It's my intent to simply use the 12V bulkhead/box wire for my HEI, and get rid of the mystery box. My question is, is there any issue with that? Does anyone know what that box does?

Thanks guys.

I believe that box is a ballast resistor. This is used in place of the resistance wire on some vehicles and is a common fix when someones resistance wire gets fried. If this is the case it will be ceramic with a wire terminal at each end. If you by pass it you will be good.
Bill

What vehicle? :clonk:

You can't measure the voltage on the wires to determine if it's a resistor wire. The car has to be running to place a load on the wire. Even then it depends on your meter as to what the voltage will read. Switch your meter to ohms and measure the resistance of the wires with the key off. If it's a regular wire it should read almost zero resistance.

Does sound like you have a ballast resistor, not resistive wire.

It's my intent to simply use the 12V bulkhead/box wire for my HEI, and get rid of the mystery box. My question is, is there any issue with that? Does anyone know what that box does?

Thanks guys.
Is that wire a cloth covered wire?