jdl,

Have you checked to see if current is coming into the coil (from the ignition switch and/or the starter switch, depending on how you are wired) - I did not see this mentioned above (sorry for asking, if you have confirmed this already).

Tim

Tim
1954Advance-Design.com
1954 3106 Carryall Suburban
1954 3104 5-window pickup w/Hydra-Matic
The 216 and early 235 engines are not "splash oilers" -- this is a splash oiler.