What did connect your tester to?
I grounded the alligator clip to the frame and placed the probe on both the positive and negative side of the coil with no indication on current.
Is the electrical system original?
No it was converted to 12 volt by one of the previous owners. The Generator was replaced with an alternator also.
The polarity you describe sounds like a positive ground system, probably six volt. Is that correct?
Well we know it is not the original system, it is 12 volt. I’m not sure if it is positive ground or not. Was debating this with someone at work today.
The distributor side of the coil is always the ground side.
Since the + side of the coil is attached to the points, does that indicate a positive ground?
The wire on the other end should go to the ignition post on the ignition switch.
If your truck has been converted to 12-volts there should be an ignition resistor between the coil and the switch, and the fact you don't mention the resistor mounted on the firewall along with the positive ground lead me to believe this one is stock.
There is an ignition resistor mounted on the coil it is on the negative side of the coil. The coil is a 6-volt coil
Could I run a wire from the + side of the battery to the – side of the coil to see if I get voltage on the + side of the coil and if I do, try starting it.
Don't run a wire from the positive side of your battery to the + terminal on the coil. If your truck is positive ground it won't do anything. If its negative ground you might be causing a short and will burn your points or the wire.
Instead, put your test light across the coil, connect one side to the positive and one to the negative, it should not matter which. Then turn on the ignition and try to start the motor. If the light flashes the primary side of the circuit is working.
If it does not flash, or turn on at all, you'll need to trace that wire back through the firewall to the switch and make sure the wire is complete and then that the switch is okay, and that power is getting to the switch. If it flashes your problems are either not electrical, or at least on the secondary side of the circuit.
This truck has the starter that is engaged by depressing a foot peddle, would I only need to turn on the switch to perform this test or would I need to engage the flywheel?
My hunce is a wire from the switch to the coil has become disconnected. Would this seem correct
Thanks
