I have been using an original for last 15 years, 30,000+ miles. It runs great, but I keep another old used one that I tested in the trunk, 1 pound and 5 minutes to change on the road. Remember, new means untested.
Probably the cracks that you speak of is carbon tracks. Usually when the carbon tracks reach the metal part of the coil it will ground out and the coil will cease to function. Carbon tracks are mentioned in the service bulletins and is the main reason for an original coil failure . Scraping the carbon tracks is mentioned . If you can scrape the carbon tracks off of the bakelite with a pocket knife or some such before it reaches metal , the coil may still work.
The cracks that was mentioned are probably carbon tracks . Carbon tracks are mentioned in the service bulletins and is one of the few things that can cause the original coils to fail . When the carbon tracks on the bakelite reaches the metal part of the coil , the coil will ground out and cease to function . Scraping off the carbon tracks from the bakelite with a pocket knife or some such can sometimes return the coil to proper function .