That original red 5mm plug cable screws into little barbed spikes that are in the ends of both that coil and the original boot. If they get corroded or burned they can be trouble.
You can unscrew the wire ans snip off a 1/4 inch to get fresh wire.
Also since you have your friends meter do this:
Remove just the white wire frome the points lug but leave the black condenser wire in place. Put a slip of paper between the points contact. Now use the meter to test for continuity between the points lug and the stator plate. You should have NO continuity. If you have any reading at all it means that your condenser or your points are internally grounded and wont work.
If you dont know how to set your meter to test for continuity just ask. (edited)