beltfed: We might be talking the same thing but different? With the points closed and the key on with a voltmeter across the resistor you should see 6 volts if all is well. If the resistor is open, and that is how they fail, you will see 12 volts. If you put the voltmeter at the coil to ground you will see 6 volts if good and 0 volts if bad with the points open. If the points are closed, well you will see 0 volts cause you have a ground. Still, 2-3 dollars and a possible on the road fix is better than 20 dollars or so for a coil and no on the road fix. Just my way of thinking. Both will work. And both are as reliable as the other, I think.
