The quick, simple, and relatively safe way to check the coil output is to remove the coil wire from the center of the distributor, hold it about 1/4" from the cylinder head, and have somebody crank the engine with the ignition on. There should be a good spark jumping to the head every time the points open. Then replace the wire in the cap, remove a wire from one of the plugs, and use a spare plug held against a ground with a pair of insulated-handle pliers and check to see if the distributor cap and rotor are functional.
All the above assumes the distributor is turning, so pull the cap off and bump the starter to make sure you don't have a stripped timing gear or a distributor that's not installed deep enough to engage the drive gear on the camshaft. Be sure the points are clean and properly gapped while you've got the cap off!
Jerry
