I'd bet dollars to donuts that the coil is wired backwards.

Current flow on a negative ground system:

From key in 'run' posistion thru ballast resistor to + side of coil. Then from - side of coil thru breaker points in distributor to gnd. When the points open, the current thru the coil stops flowing, and the coil throws a spark.

Check for power at both sides of ballast resistor. If no power at ballast resistor, check for a fuse or broken wire between key and wire at ballast resistor.

Positive gnd- positive wire of battery is grounded to frame.
Negative gnd- negative wire of battery is grounded to frame. Vast majority of vehicles are neg ground.

This thing has a regular tach, like a sunpro or autometer or something, right? I've never seen a positive ground one. Does it have a stereo? Both of those accys are usually negative ground.

good luck

chip

Preaching the Hot Rod Gospel according to the 4-stroke apostles:

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