Ammeter pegged...

7milesout said

And lastly, I took pictures of what I believe to be the resistor ballast. Mentioned earlier in the thread, and I didn't know what it was.

Them there wars ain't lookin' too healthy. And one of the connectors is just dangling. Which leads me to believe that this is not the original resistor ballast.

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7milesout

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The Ballast regulates power through the ignition coil.
On your '72, it would have had a second resistor to limit power through the ignition amplifier box (ECU).
Both of those are resistors are bypassed during startup.

The ballast was also a convient location to connect things up.
My suggestion is to cut or unwrap the harness tape and see how far back the wires have insualtion damage.
Then look at the conductor condition. If its all oxidized under the insulation, IMO it should be replaced. If its clean, then cut off the terminals, and slip some heat shrink tubing over the conductor wire to act as new insulation. You can buy various types. I would look at the fuel resistant types and higher temp rating so it doesn't get brittle. You can then mark them with short lengths of colored heat shrink tubing. IIRC the colored stuff is not available in the high temp ratings. Just check out McMaster for a good sense of what is available.

You'll need a good crimper and a some Packard 58 open barrel terminals to replace the ends.