Need input from the brain trust; fuel or ignition redux

turn ignition on, lay the coil wire on the exhaust manifold so there is a small gap and manually open the points with a popsicle stick, it should spark every time you open them. That will prove the coil and condenser is working. Set the gap, and your done ignition wise. Now you just need to time it. How do new points fail to the point of stranding you? I can tell you how an ECU can. Im just trying to be practical. You got to learn to walk before you can run.