HEI coil short

My HEI is out of a 76 Buick and now transplanted in a 225. Worked great for 2 years. I just replaced the coil, and other parts (rotor, cap, etc...) I was having a problem not getting spark, or getting really weak spark and then no spark. I noticed the white wire coming off the coil had some burned insulation and was shorting to the coil housing. My new coil mentioned that a secondary ground was needed that goes from the coil to the center post of the condenser/module connector. I made one up, just cause I love to follow directions... ha, .....but the the old one never had the secondary (how I bought it new).
Did the lack of the 2nd ground maybe cause the demise of the 1st coil? Anyone have any insight on HEI gremlins? Thanks!

 

I know that I had a hard time starting my jeep with the HEI at times with the same symptoms as you. Mine turned out to be the Hot connecting to the distributor. What fixed mine was pulling the coil and sandpapering the connections and making sure they were tight.