testing the coil

[49chevy3800]

On the 49 i am trying to get the truck started after 20 years. I have rebuild the brakes, Rebuilt the water pump, So on and so forth. Now, Im not getitng spark, So i want to test the coil to make sure it is still good. I test light the pos. wire and it lights up on the frame but wont light up when touching the neg wire for the cloil. Remember that the coil is out of the truck. Is the distributor bad or am I doing this wrong. I also know im supose to ohms test the coil. How and what are my readings going to be? PLEASE HELP! thanks