Classic/Antique Car Repair: 69 Falcon no spark


Question
I have a 1969 Ford Falcon 302 and am not getting any spark. Battery, starter have been tested and are good, fuses, spark plugs/wires, distributor cap, points, rotor, condenser, ignition coil, and ground wires have been replaced. Ignition coil reads 8.4 volts when ignition switch is in ON position without the engine running. Any suggestions?

Answer
The voltage at the + side of the coil at 8.4 tells me that the ignition switch, ballast resistor wire, are good. It also indicates that the points are closed or there is a short to ground in the wiring between the coil and the points. If there is that reading on the - side of the coil it tells me there is voltage drop  between the battery and the coil and that the point are open or there is an open in the wiring between the coil and the points. Now remove the distributor cap and turn the engine over until the points are open. The voltage when test on each side of the coil should be near battery voltage and the same. If the + side is higher than the - side then there is a short to ground between the coil and the points. Net roll the engine over until the points are closed. The voltage on the negative side should drop to zero. If not the points are defective or there is an open between the coil and the points. Make sure that the points are properly gapped. Bump the engine over until the rubbing block is sitting on the high spot of the distributor cam lobe. 6 cylinder should be set at .025" and the V-8 should be .017".