Won't turn over motor

Brian, By running 12 volts to the coil, you bypassed the ballast ressistor. Ok, so you proved that it was the problem. BUT, bypassing the ressistor overheats the coil which is not related to you engine overheat-different problem. You may have burned up the coil. If your having to "short the Starter" AND bypass the resistor, I strongly susspect you ignition switch, which controls both curcits.