Re: Dist Advance stuck - 88 3L merc - Found a clue
They are calling for a ballast resistor if the OEM ignition cable is not the resistive one to protect the module.
Even with the ballast resistor you should get Mallory's voltage regulator, it keeps voltage spikes from getting to the distributor and blowing the module. It's bad enough being stuck on the side of the road with a dead engine, on the water could be life threatening...
BTW, I was using Mallory's ballast resistor when I was blowing modules.