Pontiac Repair: No Spark on a 71 lemans 350, starter solenoid, ground path

Question
Still no spark! I changed the plugs, wires, points, condenser & coil. I recieved the manual in the mail and followed it down the list - 1) Disconnect wire at plug, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 2) Remove coil wire from distributor, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 3) connect test light from neg side of distributor to ground , turn on ignition - test light lights. 4) connect test light from point set lead connection to ground-open points( this I'm a little confused on, does this mean from the wire on the points to the base of the points set? 5) Test the coil & condenser - they are new. Any suggestions other than buy another coil & condenser? Thanks!

Answer
Hi there:

Did you check the power to the coil? it should have 12Volts from the power wire to ground with the key on. The points are the "ground" trigger for the coil. when the points are closed that is your ground path through the distributor to the coil when the points open up that makes the winging in the coil (collapse) increse the voltage to make the secondary side of the coil produce your spark. The points control the Primary side of the coil (low volatge) the secondary side of the coil is the "spark" (high voltage). that power source for the coil can come from a few places on some older cars the power source comes from two places. The one source is from the starter solenoid the small terminal opisite the "crank" wire will give the coil full battery volatge when the engine is cranking for a hotter spark and when you release the key back to run it may have a second source that goes though a ballist resistor which knocks the input voltage to the coil down a bit so the points do not burn up. Hope that help you out. My explanation is different then what your reading in the manual but I tried to put it into laymans terms for you. Good luck :-)