[Kevin in NJ]

Use to always check condensers and keep a pile in the car.

The burn out proof ones seem to work. The one in my brothers car is like 20-30 years old.

We have a coil condenser tester that makes the spark arc. Always fun to play with and start fires in paper, but I digress. Coils often with work great cold and fizzel out when warm. Same for the condensers.

Points on the other hand, so long as the contacts are not burning away and there is a wear block then they are fine.

DO NOT REPLACE points unless there is something clearly wrong with them. A quality set of used points with a good properly lubricated cam should last you decades unless you are driving thousands of miles. Change points yearly is a waste of money and only increases the level of work. New points have to wear into the cam so they will need frequent adjusting. Once worn in they go long times between needing adjustment.

Do not forget, the upper dist bushing is oiled when you fill up the filler to the top as per the owners manual.