thanks for the reply's. the battery wasn't dead when i checked the spark. it's dead now. and it is charging. when the engine initially stalled, it cranked over fine after. until, of course, i drained the battery in the process of trying to start it again. i put the battery on a 6 volt trickle charge for a day and a half. when i put it back in it was like new. i don't want to continue this process because the battery will eventually go into sulfation and not recharge.
so that pretty much answer's dennyw's suggestion about charging the battery and trying it again. also, i didn't mention anything about not understanding ignition systems. i asked if i should remove the distributor to service it. i guess you'd need to have experience with this particular type of vehicle. if you've actually seen the engine i'm talking about then you'd understand my concern.
also, the reason i asked about the weak spark is because d.i.s. will put out sometimes up to 100,000 volts. much more than the output of a distributor ignition on a 47 flathead. that means if a late model camaro or taurus or sebring has a weak spark, it will still start every time. i'm versed in that theory and have experienced it to be true. that is the reason i'm second guessing myself. because i work on d.i.s. mostly, and certainly don't work on breaker point ignition systems. i guess i needed someone to confirm my idea that this flathead with a good battery and a good coil output and good air and fuel systems, still won't start with a weak spark. i'm guessing this ignition probably put's out 20,000 to 40,000. just guessing though.
i guess i was hoping to get a reply from somebody who has actually serviced this particular model.
that does however leave me with one unanswered question. if you could answer this one question i'd be greatful. can i or can't i jump this battery with a 12 volt system? if not why? thanks very much for the responses. i do appreciate it. bob