Hello Bob, and Walter,
Normally the factory transistorized ignition has the clip type connector for the ignition points. Bob is correct on the earlier cars with the little bolt and nuts, they must remain insulated as it passes through the distributor wall.
Always check the ballast resistors, and go through the test procedure for the "spark box" (transistorized ignition). The coil is wired differently on these transistorized units than on the standard. One side is wired directly to earth as I recall.
If you determine that the box is bad, you can convert to an aftermarket electronic, or find another good used box. The exact same box was used on all the six and four cylinder sedans of the era (1970-72). The V-8s are different.
In an emergency you can rewire the distributor to standard ignition with no electronic box. Disconnect the ground wire going to the coil and leave it off. Run a hot wire from the ignition to the positive post of the coil then then connect the ignition contact lead of the green from the distributor to the neg. (earth) side of the coil, as with std. ignition. I think you will need to slightly ream out the ring terminal on the green wire so that it fits over the distributor connection. At least a 1.8 ohm ballast resistor must be added in line before the coil so the points won't fry. The original ballast resistors are not enough. You can use them both in series before the coil in an emergency. A more permanent fix would be to wire as above, and use the correct red coil and 1.8 ballast resistor and your original distributor will work fine. The advantage of the factory transistorized ignition, is the points last much longer, you will loose this advantage if you convert to standard ignition.
So what happens if one of you guys are out on the road and your factory electronic box goes out ? Wire as above and use both your original ballast resistors in series before the coil wire. Take about 15 minutes. You are basically bypassing the spark box and temporarily rewiring the ignition to standard. The ballast resistance is not high enough for the coil so the points may only last a few weeks this way. But you will be able to drive your car home!! All modifications are easily changed back to original when you get the parts for a permanent repair.
