installed a new HEI distributor on the BBC while getting the timing set I noticed a little smoke coming from this "part"(white insulator block thing) not sure what it's called exactly but  it was very hot to the touch . I know it has a orange wire from the starter a purple wire from ignition  then purple wire goes to electric choke on carb. so I took orange and purple wire off the white block aka "part"  and went to fire the engine, the engine would fire but not run. so I guess my questions are. is this common for this to get hot  or is it cause my new distributor. and  what would be the best fix since when I disconnect wires from the block my engine will not run. The old ignition was a Mallory "marine" point style

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That is a ballast resistor you need to delete it with an HEI distributor

1977 Challenger

Thank you and what's the best way to do so? 

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This thread might be helpful my HEI dist is also run through a relay as is mentioned in the last post on this thread. They have to have a constant supply of at least 12 volts

https://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php?topic=29443.0

1977 Challenger

Thanks I see the light. so I can cap orange wire and just run purple wire direct to electric choke on the carb. What type relay r you running on your HEI?

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One other thing I had to do too was run a completely new wire from the ignition switch all the way to the back I had to much voltage drop in the old wire that was 40 years old before I ran it the boat would crank but not fire ran the new wire fires every time since

1977 Challenger