This my be old hat to some, what setting would you put your meter on to check the windings? You would be using the side contacts? The range that it should read has been posted in the last month, it's the usage of the meter that is the question.
Thanks

Yes, side contacts. You're looking for something in the 3200 ohm range. It's not critical. Some were more, some were less. What you don't want is one that reads infinity (Open). If the secondary is open, find another coil. It is probably not repairable.

John Regan sells a nice little tester that beeps when a coil is in the correct range. It is very handy to carry to swap meets like Hershey and tell whether a coil is rebuildable or not. http://www.funprojects.com/products/ct-2.cfm

If you use an Ohm meter you should measure around 3000 ohms between the two contacts at the side (the high tension coil) and almost null ohms between the bottom terminal and the lover terminal on the side. Then both coils are witin limits - BUT - that is far from the whole truth. It says nothing about the built-in condensator. The condensator is probably the prime cause for malfunctioning coils. They are made of thin metalic foil interchanged with paper and have sit in the coils for over 80 years. They leak current or do not work at all.
If the resistance measurement is OK it's worth rebuilding with a new condensator of right type but it's hard to final adjust without a HCCT or a CT1 from Fun projects.

Sorry, That part I fairly well understand. I am asking what "SETTING" do I put the meter on to check. Would it be that upside down horse shoe? I am not trying to pull any ones leg here and am serious with my question. I am going to replace the condenser(s), I have the right ones.
Thanks

Mark,
The upside down horseshoe is the symbol for "Ohms" which is a unit of resistance.
If its an analog meter make sure the internal battery is good. Touch the probes together to read "0" there usually is a knob to adjust for zero. I think setting the dial to
R x100 should put it in the right range.

I heard there was a movement to repeal Ohm's Law, but it met with too much resistance so it was dropped.

Dick, Ha Ha Ha! Howard, Got it thank you. I just check one while I was sitting here reading, it checks at about 3250 to 3500. Looks to be a candidate for a new condenser. I have 7 to go through. I am going to add feather on top of the tar just for chuckles. Our club has the other tools. I will be using the strat-o-spark to check them.

You might be in the 2800 range on non Ford coils such as KW's or one I had with no markings on it at all. Doesn't mean their bad. The Off brands just read less

Here are the reading so far; 1500, 2400, 3100, 3100, 2000, 3000, 3100, 2800 and 3500. After putting a piece of paper between the points I do not see any shorts except maybe the 2800 reading coil. The needle moves off 0 just a little bit. That one I would give a good once over, might be dirt. I found a couple of more in my stash, that brings it up to 9. I will have to get more condensers! Thanks I think even the numbers look low for the 1500 and 2000 I do them up for just in case. Oh by the way, that was a quick read with a Harbor Freight analog cheep meter.