Fried coil?

[ga.spyder]

I pulled a stupid move today.I was going to pull the dist to change gasket and to install new vac. advance.I had the cap off and bumped the motor to line up dist. for removal. I had the coil wire off the coil and I saw spark shoot from the coil .I reconnected wire ,but never took out dist.Now the car wont start ,and the spark at the plugs looks really weak.
Is it possible to short the coil by turning motor over w/ the coil wire off? I did see a spark fly from neg. side of the coil.
Does anyone know of a cross reference coil that will fit the 82 elec. ign. Spider ,or have a spare for sale?
Any ideas on if it could be something else? Everything is connected correctly and I had just taken a ride and she was running great. My first stupid move of 2008....stand by though!
Craig

[So Cal Mark]

I've never heard of a coil failing in that manner. As I understand, the spark jumped from the center of the coil to the neg terminal?

[ga.spyder]

Hey Mark ,I dont know if it jumped from the center but I did see a blue spark off the neg. I wouldnt think that bumping the motor to index the rotor would damage the coil.Could it be something else?The manual warns against cranking w/ the wire off the coil ,I had pulled it off to move the dist cap. The car sounds as if there is no fire ,I will check it w a meter tomorrow to see if its the coil.I do have spark at the plugs but it is weak(yellow) looking.
Craig ps ;went out and checked it w/ ohmeter and the coil seems healthy.Im hoping that I knocked loose a wire or connection.

[So Cal Mark]

on an HEI system, it's usually the module that gets damaged by cranking with the coil wire disconnected. Could you have changed the pickup adjustment when you had the dizzy out?

If you do have to replace the coil, I'd suggest getting an e-coil. It's not oil-filled like your original and the spark output is about 50% higher

[ga.spyder]

Thanks ,Mark I found the culprit this morning.When I was working in there the wire from the condensor pulled out of its terminal end.You couldnt tell until I took it off ,and the wire came away in my hand.I put a new end on it and she fired right up.I am on to my next problem ,my dist. doesnt want to come out!I didnt want to force it ,but its stubborn.
Craig