Classic/Antique Car Repair: correct hook up on coil, ballast resistor, point type distributor

Question
Mr. Benjamin,

  I have a 1973 Corvette with the point type distributor.  I would like to know how to hook up the coil properly.  Does the negative side of the coil go to the distributor, or does the positive side?  Thank you.

                           Jack

Answer
The negative coil connection is the one that goes to the points.   

The way to remember that is that the points ground this point to complete the path from the battery (+) side (via the ignition switch, ballast resistor etc.) to the coil + side, then through the coil primary winding, out to it's (-) side, then to the points and finally to ground (only while the points are closed, of course).    The return path is from the engine block back to the battery cable to the - side of the battery.

Dick.