The gap should be the space of a business card

get the magnet in line with the coil. Lay the business card there and install the coil against the business card and tighten down.

Remove the card

There should not be any wires attached to the coil except the plug wire going to the plug

You will have to spin the magnet past the coil as fast as you possibly can to see even a weak spark

It is unlikely that you will be able to start the engine by hand