Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1937 Ford, volt bulb, ford 37

Question
37 ford flathead 8 with vacuum break distributor, no spark to plugs. Distributor has two caps, one on each side with four wires each, and ignition coil is mounted on top between the two caps. My question is how to test the ignition coil?

Answer
To test the coil, remove it. It is attached to the top of the distributor cap with several screws and then lifts straight off. But before you remove the coil check for voltage at the lead on the top of the coil with the key on. A test light with a 6 volt bulb should light and a voltmeter should read between 4 and 6 volts. If there is no voltage check up under the dash for a resistor and check both sides of that. If there is voltage on one side but not the other the resistor is burned out. With the coil off the car check the primary leads with an ohm meter and you should have 1.2 to 1.6 ohms. Checking the secondary winding connect the ohm meter to the contact for the rotor and the primary out side lead. There should be about 11,000 ohms. If you have a problem, let me know.
Brad