OK - Here's my update: I by-passed the ballast resister and could not start the engine. Feels like it wanted to start a couple times, but no Bueno. I have 12.41 volts on the battery, on starter and through the fuse before the ignition switch. After the ignition switch I have 11.77 volts to the coil+. So, 11.77 volts to the coil+ and it did not start. I bought a couple condensers from "Jon G", so I'll replace the one that's currently in the distributor just to eliminate that possibility. If no start after that, I'm going back to the beginning. Set engine at top dead center, line up the flywheel BB with the pointer and verify distributor rotor is pointing at #1 spark plug.
Note: Not sure why voltage drops from the ignition switch, but I do have another switch I can test and I'm going to do that to see if I get the same voltage drop.
Not defeated yet! Still fighting!!
