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After 4 years of restoration work, attempts to start the engine were not successful. The car was last started 4 years ago after installing - new plugs, wires, points, condenser, rotor, distributor cap - all new except the coil. But now it will not start.
The ammeter pointer oscillates from zero to approx. 3 amps discharge with ignition switch on and while starter motor is cranking the engine. No spark from removed plug -- this tells me that I may have a faulty ignition secondary circuit - bad coil. My question - will a six volt coil from NAPA be a suitable replacement?

The universal Napa IC7 6v coil should work fine but there is no provision for handling the armored cable and wire from ign switch. If the wire inside the armor is not long enough to reach the new terminal you will need to extend it and then make some provision to protect and hold the wire and cup assy so it does not get damaged or cup and cable flops around and pulls the wire.

If the points were installed years ago they could have oxidized just from sitting. You might try to clean them with coarse grain kraft type paper or 600 grit sandpaper before condemning the coil.

Howard thanks for the response.

Yes, check the points/condenser first as they wear out sooner than the coil. I would suggest new rotor, cap, plug wires and plugs to complete the tune-up and take all ignition issues away.
If however you do need to replace the coil, you can use a new universal 6V one like I did, I just ran a new armoured 10AWG wire from the start switch to the coil. I got the wire from Restoration Supply. (My car came with no ignition system, just a bare block, so I did not have the proper coil to start with)
It is not original but it works great.
Bob J.

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The behavior of the ammeter does suggest a bad coil secondary. It might be worthwhile to gently clean the points and check the gap, and replace the condenser. A bad condenser can prevent a good coil from working properly even if it is getting power when it should, as yours appears to be. I'd look carefully at the rotor, too.