at the coil it reads as low as 12.22 and as high as 14.39 but I did see a few spikes as high as 16
WAY WAY too high, and 16 shows it is problably overcharging. What is the battery voltage with the engine "at speed"?
Well I called a friend.............had the condensers end up junk right off the shelf................If I'm burning them up driving it's the condenser that is bad...............He said the ballast mainly reduces the amps
So I bought another condenser
Your buddy is partly right
Condensers CAN be bad off the shelf
Burning up points does NOT automatically mean a bad condenser, we already KNOW you have TOO MUCH VOLTAGE at the coil, and probably at the battery
The ballast reduces the amps, alright, but the RESULT is that the voltage is also lower
First off you need to find out why the system voltage is so high. 14 to 16 volts to the coil is not good. What's your charging system doing? You said earlier the voltage regulator was changed. Is it grounded to the mount surface good.. How are the grounds from the battery to the block? Are they clean? Also are there any grounds from the engine to the body? 40+ year old car may need an engine to body ground added. I haven't dealt with points in many years but if you use a dwell meter to set by, it times the point opening event so as to reduce arcing across the point contacts. This helps to slow down the burning of the points. As it stands right now until you figure out why your charging system is doing what it is you'll just keep on replacing points etc. I am surprised with the voltage spiking like that your not burning out bulbs. etc. Follow the advice given above. There's a lot of knowledge and wisdom here, just take the time to work through it. Remember none of us are there and the information you provide enables others to help based on that.
THE ABOVE is a very true statement
ONE Your coil voltage is way too high It should NEVER be above 12V with the system running (normal) at 14 charging, and is NORMALLY below 12
TEU Your mention of "16 volts" means that IF your meter is accurate, your charging system is way way to high as well
Once again, you need to measure charging voltage AT the battery with the engine at speed and the battery "normal"
I'd bet it's way too high.