Marcellin,
I don't know if this is covered in the service manual or not. I'll have to look. But, if you need to test it right away so you can go do some more shopping, here's a quick way that we use down here: (It's a nine step process)
First, make sure you have juice to the coil.
Second, make sure you have a juice to the distributor.
Third, make sure that the points are breaking.
Fourth, make sure that the coil wire to the distributor cap is in place and everything buttoned up.
Fifth, make sure that all spark plug wires are in place (actually you need only one, but you need for everything to look right).
Sixth, make sure you battery is charged up.
Seventh, have your buddy Homer (or someone) ready to crank the engine over.
Eight, pull a spark plug wire. Then say to your barefoot buddy Billy Bob (or whoever), "Hey, Billy Bob, I need yor help here. Hang on to the end of this here loose spark plug wire a minute for me whilst I fetch a spark plug wrench. I don't think this sucker is tight enough."
Ninth (and last step), ease back and signal Homer to crank her over.
From Billy Joe's reaction or lack thereof, you will know right away if the coil is good or not. Works every time.
Glad to help,
Charlie
BTW: Everybody has a Billy Bob around. There is a even a pleathra (for folk in TN, that means "a heap") of them around here.