[Jack E/NJ]

Agreed on a potential capacitor issue. Sounds like the ballast is about right for a 1.5 ohm coil. With the points closed, there should be 1.5/3.3 x 12.8v = ~6v at the coil input with points closed not running. So 5v sounds about right if the battery was a bit low and some resistance thru the ign switch. When it's running, who knows what you'll get especially with a slow responding digital meter. Jack E/NJ