Driving... pop... no spark

[MNKMcNeilly]

I was driving my 1953 Dodge Coronet with the 241 Red Ram HEMI today and all of a sudden I heard a small pop and the car died. It will crank, but I am getting no spark. Could I have "popped" my coil? It is 6volt and the coil is not original (Rock Auto). I removed the coil and am wondering if there is an easy way to check the coil. Also, do any auto parts stores carry 6 volt coils? Does it have to be a certain type of 6v coil?

Thanks for your insight!

[Plymouthy Adams]

a 6 volt coil is a 12 volt coil to be used with an external resistor.  You can ohm your primary and secondary taps for continuity, will show if you have an open or a short and proper ratio primary to secondary.  

[joecoozie]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/search?text=ignition coil&referer=v2

[MNKMcNeilly]

52 minutes ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

a 6 volt coil is a 12 volt coil to be used with an external resistor.  You can ohm your primary and secondary taps for continuity, will show if you have an open or a short and proper ratio primary to secondary.  

@Plymouthy Adams Do you know what the continuity should be? Primary I have 1.2 ohms tested at 200 and secondary I have 7.80 tested at 20k

[maok]

Based on those readings, your coil is fine, double check by seeing if there is spark from the coil high tension lead to ground.

 

It's probably the condenser.

[MNKMcNeilly]

1 hour ago, maok said:

Based on those readings, your coil is fine, double check by seeing if there is spark from the coil high tension lead to ground.

 

It's probably the condenser.

@maok Forgive my ignorance... How do I check the spark from the coil high tension lead to ground?

[maok]

Just place the lead that normally fits into the distributor next to the engine block but not touching, then try to start the engine, you should see a spark from the lead to the engine block.

[MNKMcNeilly]

45 minutes ago, maok said:

Just place the lead that normally fits into the distributor next to the engine block but not touching, then try to start the engine, you should see a spark from the lead to the engine block.

@maok Gotcha. I didn't realize that is what it was called. I did that and am getting no spark. Is it normal for the condenser to just die all of a sudden? Also, I didn't realize the Red Ram engine had 2 sets of points.

[Doug&Deb]

The tune up parts that are available are terribly inconsistent. I went through 4 new condensers before I got one that worked. Also I would check the wire to the points to make sure it hasn’t come off.

[Merle Coggins]

Have you checked that you have voltage supplied to the coil? Maybe the 'pop' was an electric arc on an electrical connector that now won't send voltage to your ignition system. 

[Rosco]

Sounds like the same thing that happened to me with my '50 Plymouth.  Had my mechanic replace the condenser and points - problem solved.  Also, as Doug and Deb suggested, check the wire to the points for a short circuit.