Classic/Antique Car Repair: 1930 Model A electrical, volt coil, car stalls

Question
QUESTION: Hi. Noticed your profile goes back to 1940 buy my electrical issue is probably a simple fix for this simple mind. 6 Volt system on my 30 A. Problem is main fuse 20 amp keeps blowing after a days driving. Also car stalls and will not start even by pulling. A test light found both sides of coil hot even with key off.. I believe that is wrong, am I right? could the coil be failing and how do I test coil?  I am confused.  thanks  Don

ANSWER: Coil should not be hot when off, Coil could be going out, but it in itself is not the problem. It has to be getting electricity from somewhere to be hot, and that is your problem. Have the cloth covered wires been all upgraded? Have all switches been upgraded? Send me a little more info and we should be able to solve the problem. Also check further up the lines from your coil to see how far you have current.

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QUESTION: When I purchased car both tail and 1 headlight was burned out. New wiring was in place but may have instalation issues. Twice today it died like a switch was thrown. Had to tow it home. Would not fart while being pulled. I bought a 6 volt coil and it did finally did start but ran rough. I turned headlight on and motor dies ; turned lighht off and motor keeps running though stumbles. Now it just cranks.
Starter turns over at normal speed.
Amp guage is working (shows normal charging rate)
Lights appear to glow normal.
Above symptom says electrical starvation. Right?  
Is any 6volt coil ok?  I am going to locate new cap rotor and points to eliminate from issue.  You agree?
Don

Answer
Don't believe cap and rotor will address anything, but good idea to always keep fresh (3-6 months).

Is you car a Neg or Pos ground system. Most people assume one of the other and wire everything accordingly. Sounds like your lighting system is grounded opposite of your main system.

The 6-volt coil should be fairly universal, but again must be hooked up with the correct Neg or Pos ground system in mind.

New model cars (1950's) had a floor dimmer switch that when it wore out would do this very thing, because it reversed to polarity of the headlights.

My best diagnosis at this point is a 'going to ground' of the light wiring system either through a faulty wire or faulty installation.

Let me know your progress in check the ground integrity