Briggs and Stratton won't spark?

I have removed the ignition armature from my older model 3.5hp b&s engine. I have about 2.8kohms between the spark plug wire and ground which seems normal. I checked the continuity between the primary wire that is ultimately routed under my flywheel and the ground wire that goes under the mounting screw. I have no resistance, a dead short between these two wires. Can anyone tell me if that is normal?