Quote:

per the haynes manual i checked resistance between the + terminal and the spark plug connection



I just read that too and you may have found an error in the manual. Checking those two points should be wide open! All coils are basically transformers and the primary and secondary windings have to be isolated from on another.

You know how I love pictures and disregard the firing circuit in the one below (points, ugh), but notice that the primary and secondary are completely isolated from each other. As far as I know, the only way to measure the primary side of the coil's resistance is by ohming between the + and - terminals and the only way to measure the secondary portion is between the high tension output and ground. Anyone can please correct me if I am wrong. Already happened last week!



"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein