HEI Conversion wiring question

If your engine bay wires are sound, I wouldn't snip anything. You can get a male-male spade connector to simply plug the 2 ballast resistor connectors together, or you can make a similar short jumper wire. If brittle wiring, I would strip out to simplify and replace bad wires (best to use same colors and gage). If some guy did above and didn't get +12 V switched power to the coil, they probably had a goofy brown wire (IGN2) or didn't do above correctly. Post photos. You wouldn't believe the shoddy work some guys show after pages of "didn't work" fussing. Our ridicule may be coarse, but will be helpful. Some guys think that twisting wires and wrapping w/ electrical tape is good-enough.