[Roadsters] No spark... no run... :(

[The Ken Pearce]

Ok, down to debugging an electrical problem on my 68 2000...

My initial guess is that my ignition coil is toast.    Here are my
observations:

1.)  No spark on wires, not on the plug wires or the center coil wire when I
crank it over.
2.)  When ignition key is on, I have 0 volts between + and - terminals on
coil
3.)  When ignition key is on, I have 12 v between + on ignition coil and
ground (fender of car)
4.)  When ignition key is on, I have 12 v between - on ignition coil and
ground (fender of car) (this one is weird)

seems perhaps the coil is shorted and + and - are connected internally (thus
explaining #4 above)

Should the coil be producing high voltage (spark) on the coil wire all the
time when 12v is applied to the + and - terminals on the coil?    Does the
distributor (cap, rotor, points, condenser) have any role in the ignition coil
producing high voltage?  Or does it just receive that voltage on the center
wire hi-tension wire?

I tried running a small wire directly from the battery neg terminal to the
coil neg terminal  and from the battery + to the coil +, still no spark...

The coil is probably original, and could probably stand to be replaced
anyway...

Anyone with trouble shooting tips or techniques, I'm all ears!

Thanks,

Ken
Bellingham, WA
68-2000 (oh so close to running...)