No spark on 86 mercrusier?

Ok, this is on a boat but is just about getting spark to the engine. There was new set of points in the glove box but I don't have a new condenser. i changed the points and ensured they open and close as the distributor rotates. I have a test lamp set up from the negative terminal on the coil and to a good ground. I get power in the on position and start but the lamp does not turn on and off when the points should be openening and closing. The lamp actually gets brighter when trying to start. I plan on changing the condenser since I put in new points but I don't have one right now. Could the condenser cause this problem? Is there any other issue that would cause this? I don't have a feeler gauge, plan on getting one today, could the dwell angle be off so much that even though the points open and close they aren't open or closed long enough to build up the proper voltage in the coil? Anyone know what the points gap and dwell angle should be in a 86 mercruier 3.0L, 140HP, 4 cyl engine?