1953-1960 Classic Car Engines Troubleshooting Guide: Engine Won't Start Due to Faulty Secondary Ignition Circuit

Things to Look For:

Corroded spark plug cable terminals.
Chafed or cracked insulation on cables.
Ignition coil weak or inoperative.
Moisture on ignition coil, terminals, distributor cover, spark plug porcelains, or in distributor.
Improper type of spark plugs.
Cracked distributor cap or a burned carbon track from distributor cap center terminal to distributor housing.
Improper installation of spark plug cables (not correct for engine firing order).
Spark plugs damaged, dirty or wet, porcelains cracked, or gaps improperly spaced.
Rotor contact spring bent or broken.
Distributor rotor grounded.
Distributor cap center terminal (inner) broken or missing.
Broken or burned out radio suppressor in distributor cap.