what am I missing
 

I read and the info says with the key on there should not be six volts on the right side of the coil. I have the key on and have six on the right but only one volt on the left, but no voltage on the point arm. With the key off I have six volts on both sides of the coil and still nothing on the arm. What is it I am not understanding.

Re: what am I missing
 

Are you checking this with the points open or closed ? 6v points open, zero points closed.
Your voltage is correct with key off. Coil should have battery voltage to both leads. Ford was screwy with the wiring back then. It didn't hurt anything, just confusing to those used to more modern stuff. The key switch is the key, so to speak. Key on, voltage should be fed thru distributor lead to points. Points open [ not grounded] voltage should be battery. Points closed [grounded] no voltage. That is if points contacts is/are clean.
Don't know if this helps or not. If so, good. If not, ask and we'll figure something out to explain it 'more better'.

Re: what am I missing
 

The points are closed.

Re: what am I missing
 

points open. key off. 6 volts to both sides of the coil.
Points open. key on. 6 volts to the coil on the right side, 1 volt on the left side.
I don't expect to find voltage at the points with key on with the points closed.

Re: what am I missing
 

Try unscrewing the distributor lead a turn or 2. It may be grounding itself in the distributor. Or just remove it and check for voltage or lack of it with key off. That lead could also be bad and internally grounded. Check for continuity between housing/casing and lead end, wiggle it around just to make sure. If that lead proves to be good and not screwed in too far, then it appears you have a grounding problem internally in the distributor which could be a couple things. Upper/lower plate, points, etc.

Re: what am I missing
 

There is no continuity between the points and ground with the points open, with the key on or off, and positive battery post lifted. That is why I thought the pop out switch might be bad, except that the voltage drop to 1 volt on the one side of the coil is confusing me. The distributor was the first thing I thought of. I've tried 3 different condensers and no change either.

Re: what am I missing
 

The 1 volt with the points closed is due to line loss between the points and coil. The coil drops most of the voltage, but the wires betweent the points and coil are also dropping one volt. If the points have high resistence that can also add to the line loss. I'd say you are good to go.:)

Re: what am I missing
 

tom, the car cranks fine, but no spark at the points??? I'm at a loss with a simple system...LOL

Re: what am I missing
 

You really don't want spark at the points, though there is a very small spark often during operation. The condenser job is to soak up the voltage to eliminate the spark at the points.

If you turn the key on with the points open, then short the points contacts with a screwdriver, do you get a good blue spark at least 1/4" from the coil wire?

If you have an original popout switch wire, the insulation may be dry and broken, allowing the wire to touch ground inside the cable.

Re: what am I missing
 

I don't have continuity between ground at the wire or the cable, checking with an ohm meter.

Re: what am I missing
 

TTT
Paul in CT

Re: what am I missing
 

I'm sorry but I'm at a loss as to what TTT means...LOL

Re: what am I missing
 

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