I'm working on a dual pickup electronic distributor. both pickup coils tested at about 275 ohms. I read in the tech section specs are 375 to 425 ohms. are there different specs for a dual pickup coil setup? should I replace them?

I dont have a shop manual that covers the dual pickup years but I think you're fine but let me ask you this are you having any triggering (or other related elec) probs that are making you suspect the pickup coil)s) to b the prob?

I'm having an intermittent spark problem and everything else is checking out. I haven't encountered a dual pickup dizzy before so I'm just curious if the specs are different from the singles.

I am ASSuming the specs are the same but not 100% positive. W your meter on it & you wiggle the wires/bump the coil you do not lose continuity right? though a coil (of any type) can test good cold then act up when hot. Lean burn or an electronic spark control (ESC) ign? What yr?

It's an 85 318 w/ESC

The pick up coils in a dual pickup distributor should test the same. You should be good to go with what you have there.

EDIT: Also you can switch your meter to AC volts, and spin the shaft you should get at least 1 volt AC from each pickup.

That reading should be OK, but check that you have INFINITY to ground from either pickup.

Also, some member on here --take it for what it's worth-- claims that he works on this stuff and has had to replace seemingly good pickups. Makes me wonder if the magnets go weak in em

And, o' course "check the gap"