Ignition Points Tech Question

For "starters" (pun intended LOL) you MUST HAVE a good condenser. If you cannot find an original type, jerry rig one out of "most anything" with points. Ford, Chev, or Mopar. You can mount it externally and hook it to the coil points lead

Not terribly important but pay attention to coil polarity. There is a mix of ground polarity on 6V systems. Either way you should get a spark.

Turn key to "run" make certain points are closed. Measure voltage on both coil terminals. You should have near "same as battery" voltage (6V nominal........check at battery too!!) on the power terminal, and the "lesser the better" on the points terminal. Hard to say what you can get away with at this point, but if you have more than a volt you better look for a way to improve the points.

Who made the distributor? In the "better days" of parts stores, we had all kinds of tag numbers listings (numerical listings) which would cross dist. tag no. to the parts needed "The kids" at these fake stores nowadays HAVE NO CLUE

It has been SO LONG now that I've finally forgotten the "thumb rule" of maximum breaker points voltage drop. Maybe 1/2 volt?


Research said it should work without a condenser but the points would burn out quickly. Since I still have no spark with the condenser removed I'll put it back in. Interestingly I looked at old pictures of the truck and it appears the coil was wired the other way, with the ignition switch wire going to the negative coil terminal. I tried it both ways more than once though, no change.
Key in "run", points closed, battery voltage on power terminal, less than half a volt on the points terminal.
Dist is "North East" and has it's numbers still. I have a good parts guy but I don't think he'll get anywhere with it. I spent a LONG time doing research. Incidentally I thought Napa might have 6v coil so I went there with the coil and the woman at the counter said "need a new fuel pump?".
Thank you for your time