Low voltage issues, car not starting

If you are interested in my saga, check here: http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29301&page=3

If you don't care to read through all that ( wouldn't blame you, its pretty dry ) then in a nutshell, I had a low voltage issue that kept the car from starting. I bypassed the ballast resistor and the car ran great. For two days.

Its been a while since I have had time for any of this stuff. I had two days of the car running great when suddenly the engine started hesitating and sputtering and died on the freeway. That was months ago and now I am finished with school for the semester and actually have time to work on the car again.

Pertronix and ignition coil that where dead. Just replaced them both and now I am back to a low voltage issue and still no ballast resistor. According to my multimeter I have good grounds and I am getting 8 volts to the ignition coil + with the key in the run position. But without a ballast resistor, shouldn't I be seeing 12v? I tried running a lead from the battery + terminal to the coil + and still no go. Coil is brand new, and rated @ 3.0 ohms, but only shows 2.5.

Not sure where to go next. Anyone have any advice?

Thanks