Technical IGNITION TROUBLE. HELP PLEASE

Yep, I would try another meter to confirm the readings. In a digital meter a low battery in the meter can give similar problems as this, those 9 volt batteries do wear out.

 

Not true. If there is an open in the distributor or the wire leading to the distributor, you will read 12 volts at the primary coil terminal connected to the distributor not 0 volts. You are probably thinking that the voltage will drop from the ignition side of the coil to the distributor side if you have an open circuit. But, voltage drops only occur if there is current flowing. In an open circuit there is no current flowing hence no voltage drop. If you take the lead going to the distributor off the coil, you will read 12 volts on both primary terminals with the ignition on. No the ballast resistor will not drop the voltage on an open circuit. It only affects the circuit if there is current flowing.

 

I understand, but an open in the 12 volt supply to the coil would also result in 0 volts, right? As would also happen if the points happen to be closed when you check voltage.

 

You caught me, I assumed (shouldn't ever do) the poster had checked power to the coil.

 

I thought maybe it was a bad set of points in the mallory so I unplugged them one at a time and it ran on single points but did the same thing. Stumble and cut out

 

I installed the "yard" distributor with fresh nos points and new mallory 12v condenser. Finally we have spark and consistent idle. Seems like she's fixed. Fresh battery and test drive tomorrow. So something in that mallory dual point was shorting under the points plate. Thanks for the help guys