GTSi Coil problem and Ignition Questions?

Yesterday the front bank went out on my 81 GTSi, but the rear bank was still running perfectly. I noticed that the front coil is cracked, and figure I need a new one. To make sure that was the problem, I reversed the digiplex connectors. No change, so they must be okay.

Then to make double sure I reversed the green and yellow/black signal wires and the coil to distributor leads. (Both coils were receiving 12V from the yellow wires.)

I cranked the engine and it would not start at all. Both banks are out.

I understand the rear bank not firing now if that front coil was bad, but why is the front bank not firing using the rear coil? There seems to be no spark at either coils.

Could there maybe have been a problem elsewhere in the ignition system which led to the front coil burning out? The only other thing I know of would be if the front crank sensor was bad, but I never heard that could damage the coil. It seems unlikely they would both have gone out at the same time unless there was one cause for both.

Or could the coil burning out have caused something else to go, perhaps a fuse or fusible link that I don't know about? And now there is no signal to the coil to fire?

Any solutions to this mystery would be appreciated!

 

Thanks for your input. I think the way to proceed is to replace the obviously damaged coil, and proceed from there. If there is another issue, I can hopefully trace it back from there.