[67 Burb]

Originally Posted by lutronjim

Sounds right to me. Points ground the coil and I would expect you would read 0 on + side. While they are closed the coil saturates and when they open the condenser 'oscillates' to get a hot spark. Bad condenser gets you a almost useless spark on plugs - replace condenser.

The function of a condenser in a coil ignition system is to reduce the spark at the contact points as they open in the distributor and thus minimize burning and pitting of the points. Arcing is caused by the effect of self induction in the coil as the points interrupt the flow of current. (Courtesy of: "Technical Talk – Ignition Condensors by Alan Hale". It doesn't "oscillate".