MG Car Repair: 76 MG Midget no spark, ballast resistor, air gap

Question
Hello. It looks like I'm having the same problems as others who've written articles asking for help.
My spark plugs show a faint spark when I turn off the ignition switch. The ballast resistor smokes when I leave the key on, and the thing just won't start.
The answers I've seen point to faulty igniter, bad coil, etc.
Everything I have is new. New coil, new igniter, new ballast resister. NEW EVERYTHING. I'M ABOUT TO GIVE UP. I even purchased a wiring schematic to make sure all the coil wires were hooked up properly, but it didn't give color codes, so could be a chance somethings not wired right. I don't know.
If you could help, I would appreciate it.

Thanks
Scott

Answer
Hi Scott,
If you have a ballast resistor then you must have a coil to match and it must be wired in series with the resistor. The igniter (no matter what brand) has to connect the coil to ground and then break the circuit to make the field in the coil collapse and transfer to the secondary winding (the spark plug circuit). With that you should be able to check which item or items are not doing their jobs or are not wired correctly.
If your igniter uses a metal reluctor check the air gap. Most use about .012" air gap. If it is a LED, confirm that the slits in the shutter wheel are open and clean.
A single spark when the ignition switch is turned off is a normal indicator that an igniter is bad. (or wired wrong)
Let me know,
Howard