bad misfire and ignition problem.

ratty dart 340 said
we still have the 4 terminal ballast in the original location, and hooked up. Isn't that "in line"? i will measure again but im pretty sure i have measured at the coil with it running and got around 7 volts.

OK
Make sure the coil is not heating up as the engine is running, should be cool not hot.

If coil is hot, could be toast already from whatever wiring problem that went wrong.