Classic/Antique Car Repair: ignition coil resistor, ballast resistor, cleaning solution

Question
I replaced my resistor on my 1966 corvette because it was somking and hot.  The new one does the same thing. ??????

Answer
First, I want to explain the delay in my answer:  The All-Experts site has a problem that they seem unable to fix - it causes as much as 3 days to elapse before they send out the questions.  I just got this this minute!

The ballast resistor always runs somewhat warm, and can get quite hot if the engine is stopped with the points closed and the key on, but smoking sounds extreme.  Is there any chance the car has the wrong coil?  Something is making the coil draw too much current.  

Another possiblity is that some cleaning solution or other substance is on the ballast resistor - have you been spraying stuff under the hood that could be contaminating it?

If not that, then I suspect a wrong part somewhere - and it has to be either the coil or the ballast resistor, nothing else can cause excess current to flow.

Dick