My stock '54 Merc quit running and I suspect the coil is the culprit.  I have no fancy test equipment but my circuit tester shows power to the plus side of the coil grounded to the battery and to the minus side of the coil.  I pulled the coil lead from the distributer and layed it next to the exhaust manifold and cranked the engine expecting to see plenty of fire from the lead jumping to ground on the manifold.  Nothing!  I tried a spare coil (condition unknown) and the results were the same.  I am gettig no spark at the dist. points as well, no surprise.  What am I overlooking?  I have a 7 function multi-meter but am somewhat unskilled in its use.
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I hate to buy another coil if the fault s elsewhere.  Any help?