questions about petronix install

'65 originally had ballast wire. Its not clear whether you mean this wire or an aftermarket ballast resistor such as a Mallory or Chrysler ballast. Here's the deal. Its the coil that determines whether you need the ballast or not. Factory coils require a ballast else they get too hot and can fail prematurely. The reason for this is they are wound for 9 volt operation (not 12 volts). The wire ballast reduces the voltage from 12 volts to 9 volts. How is this an advantage? Using a reduced voltage coil does several things:

a. When bypassed by the start solenoid, the voltage can be temporarily kicked up to give extra starting kick to the spark output.

b. Coil is an inductance which is frequency (rpm) dependent. Providing the ballast causes the coil to have a flatter spark output over the full rpm range than would be possible with no ballast.

Bottom line is the factory coil/ballast is superior in most respects to a fixed voltage aftermarket coil with no ballast. Now to the question you asked. Should you bypass the ballast? No, not with a factory or conventional coil. When can/should you bypass the ballast? Most aftermarket CD ignition control boxes require full 12 volts. In this case it is proper to bypass the ballast resistor (or wire). The reason this works is 12 volts is not directly connected to the coil (the CD box is connected to the coil and provides about 300 volts to it - it gets the 300 volts from an internal inverter that converts 12 volts to 300 volts). This explains why CD ignitions use electronic coils, not conventional coils. The easiest way to know what to do is to follow the instruction sheet provided with the aftermarket equipment you buy. They are seldom wrong in their application.

The clear gauge is used to set the gap between your pertronix module and the magnet you slipped over the distributor shaft.

I won't ramble, but just say that the clear thingy is a spacer to be used to get the proper gap. Use it, then throw it away.

You need to check the voltage to the coil....it should be 9 volts. If it is 9 volts without the ballast resistor it is not needed but if it is 12 volts then hook up the resistor. Either way the Petronix needs a full twelve volts so you will have to run it's wire either to the 12V side of the ballast resistor if it is used....or before the resistance wire under the dash to get a 12 volt ignition source.

Pertronix ignition-ballast resistor

65 2+2;

It sounds like your 67 coupe has the same problem I had with my 68 coupe, 302 engine. There should not be a ballast resistor mounted on your firewall, unless it was mounted by a previous owner. the Ford resistor is a pink covered wire under the dash connected to the ignition. This pink wire has a history of failing and causing too much resistance resulting in a severe voltage drop to the coil. I am willing to bet that your pink wire has been bypassed, and maybe gone completly and the resistor was mounted on the fire wall.
I had this pink wire failure causing my engine to die on me at odd times. I cut out the pink wire and ran 12 volts to the coil. I have a Pertronix ignition. But to do this, without blowing your coil, or the Pertronix ignition, you have to use the Pertronix 40,000 volt coil. This coil has a built in resistor and will operate with 12 volts going to it.
If you should ever go back to points, you have to install a 1.5 ohm resistor in the 12 volt line, which you have on the firewall, between the key ignition and the coil. If you do not do this, you will burn out your points in the blink of an eye. I KNOW. If you run another brand of standard coil, you also need to have the resistor. But rember if the voltage drops to much below 9 volts, you will have problems with the Pertronix ignition. I hope this helps you.
68 dailydriver

Pertronix install

The coil is about 30 bucks. It is Pertronix brand and most Mustang places carry it if they carry the pertronix ignitor. I got mine from Summit Racing and they have a web site you can order from. Their part number is PNX-40001, Flame-thrower coil, if you want the chrome plated coil. They also have it in black.

68 dailydriver