MG Car Repair: hot coil, ballast resistor, starter solenoid

Question
QUESTION: I saw your comment about a hot coil and the need for a ballast resistor.   I'm trying to track down an electrical problem, and noticed the coil was quite hot.  There is a capacitor next to the coil, but no resistor.  Cannot find any specs on the ballast resistor, either.  My assistant disconnected the capacitor, and I would like to know whether it should go to the positive or negative side of the coil.
Q #1:  Specs for the resistor
Q #2:  Where to connect the capacitor

Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Joe,
What kind of MG do you have?
Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry.   duhhh.

1978 MGB

Answer
Hi Joe,
If you have a capacitor it was put on the car either by a previous owner or a dealer, probably as a radio suppressor and is not required.
If the coil gets too hot it is either the wrong coil or it is connected up wrong or the resistor wire has been removed. The resistors are usually about 1.3 to 1.4 ohms and the coil should be about 1.5 ohm on the primary.
The coil should receive direct 12v from the starter solenoid when in the "Start" position and then when the key is released to the "Run" position it should be powered by the resistor.
Howard