I've been trying everything to get my new truck running but the ignition system keeps fighting me. It's got a new cap, plugs, rotor, condenser, points, coil and plug wires but I'm still getting no spark. I believe the points are set properly (paperclip-wide gap between contacts when the lobe is out) I don't know what is going on. Since the wiring is a little hacked up I've been running a wire straight from the battery to the +side of the coil. Does it need resistance? Any help is appreciated.

 

It should start / run without a resistor or resistance wire. I would not run it that way permanently as the coil life may be shortened. When the engine is cranking do you get a spark at the coil wire when it is disconnected from the distributor and held near the block? Be sure the rotor is not installed 180* out of phase.

 

Paper clip may be too big a gap. Back in the day we used a match book cover just to set them and get you going.
I would close them up a little and see what happens.
Dave - - - -

 

I've had new condensers that were crap right out of the box. So you may want to try a different one. Also take a multimeter and check the wire the goes from the distributor to the coil for continuity. I've had a couple of those that were bad.