If you aren't seeing some voltage at the dist side of the coil, ever, it likely means that there is a short to ground there. You might try disconnecting that wire from the coil, and then measure the resistance to ground from the end of that wire. It should change from almost nothing to infinite as the points go from closed to open (may give erratic readings due to the condenser in the circuit at first, but long term (a few secs) that what it should read in those positions). Note open/close the points with a stick of wood or some other insulator, by hand, for this test. If you don't have a helper, put a clean piece of paper/cardboard between the points to hold them open, so you can go read the electric meter.
I'd bet you are seeing close to 0 resistance all the time. That will give you no spark, and run current thru the coil continuously which heats it up. If this is the case, then either the points are not really opening, or they are plugged in wrong, or there is a short to ground somewhere in that wire.
If you do get the right resistance when you manually open/close the points, then try hooking it back up and see if you don't get a spark from the center of the coil when you manually open/close the points, you should.
If you do get a spark from this last test, then I'd check that the points are gapped correctly, and that the timing is set right. Might also be spark plug wires in the wrong dist cap holes, or play in the dist shaft too... Looking at the points as someone cranks the engine over, you should see the points open and close as the dist shaft goes around. If the points aren't opening and closing with each lobe of the cam that's the problem. If they are, then you should be getting a spark, although it may be at the wrong time.
I'd bet you are seeing close to 0 resistance all the time. That will give you no spark, and run current thru the coil continuously which heats it up. If this is the case, then either the points are not really opening, or they are plugged in wrong, or there is a short to ground somewhere in that wire.
If you do get the right resistance when you manually open/close the points, then try hooking it back up and see if you don't get a spark from the center of the coil when you manually open/close the points, you should.
If you do get a spark from this last test, then I'd check that the points are gapped correctly, and that the timing is set right. Might also be spark plug wires in the wrong dist cap holes, or play in the dist shaft too... Looking at the points as someone cranks the engine over, you should see the points open and close as the dist shaft goes around. If the points aren't opening and closing with each lobe of the cam that's the problem. If they are, then you should be getting a spark, although it may be at the wrong time.
