I searched "HEI" in the forums and got zero results

Anyhow, My 65 biscayne was converted to HEI by the previous owner when he installed his 350. I have since plucked the mouse, refurbished the engine compartment (read: removed all wiring), and dropped in a rat. I am now at the stage where I am accounting for, and connecting, all of the loose ends in my wiring harness.

It appears that he just ran the "resistance wire" (the one with braided insulation that went to the old coil) straight to the "BATT" terminal on the HEI unit.

1. Why does the resistance wire look different than all the rest (i.e. the funny insulation)?

2. Is this safe?

I have found several problems in this harness to include melted insulation on the purple solenoind wire which was caused by I dont know what (engaging the starter too long?). Most of the other wires seem fine outside of being spliced in multiple areas (I have heard the term "cobb job" used to describe the work that was done previously). This is one area that I dont want to screw up.

-Thanks