[raycow]

Standard troubleshooting procedure:

Take off the distributor cap so you can see the points. Turn on the ignition switch and rotate the engine by hand until the points are open. Now use a multimeter or test lamp to check for power at both the (+) and (-) terminals of the coil. If no power on either one, you have a break somewhere between the coil and the switch. Work backward toward the switch, checking at each point where there is a terminal or connection until you find the break.

If you have power at (+) but not at (-), disconnect the lead going to the distributor. If you have power at (-) now, you have a short to ground somewhere in the distributor or the connecting wire. If you still have no power at (-) with the lead disconnected, you have an open coil primary, but this is VERY rare.

If power at both (+) and (-), turn the engine by hand until the points are closed. Now you want to see power at (+), but not at (-). If you still see power at both terminals, you have a break between the coil and the distributor, or else the points aren't making contact.

Ray