[Popeye31]

get back to basics .Are you using the screw in the front of the timming cover to find top dead center or are you looking in the sparkplug hole? use the pin(screw) in the front of the timming cover. at top dead center make sure the nub for the number one spark plug in the distributor is in the middle of the rotor tip. also check that the points contact has not fallen off of the points . set points to .18 -.22. and check spark plugs for correct gaps .35 . now with the cap off turn the key on and open and close the points with a screw driver if there is a spark put cap and coil wire back on and try to start. if it still will not start pull coil wire out of cap hold close to head bolt and crank engine if you don't get spark change wire, if you still dont get spark after changing wire change coil and condensor. I always change them as a set don't need to but one can make the other go bad. if you still do'nt get spark then you have a connection problem between the points and switch. this can be a broke wire or falty switch or just a bad connection at a screw. also the black wire or the wire that goes to the negative side of the coil should be on the passenger side stud on the distribution block on the fire wall the red wire that goes to the ignition switch should be on the driver side of the distribution block. now if all is fixed you should get a spark if car will not run change cap and rotor. now as far as fule goes check to make sure you are getting good flow through all fule lines I saw a petcock that was parshally cloged and fule would flow but not fast enough to let the car run. I know you have probably checked all of these thing but make a list and check them off as you check the item and I think you will find the issue or multipule issues you might have over looked because of frustration. Like you said these cars are very simple and you just need to get back to basics when assessing issues with them.