383 ignition, need expert please.

Working on my 383 engine, its been sitting for a while. Crank the engine, no sparking.

Engine out of car, negative (-) of coil connect to distributor lead; positive (+) of coil connect to positive terminal of battery; ballast resistor connect to (+) of coil, other end to to ground.

Negative of battery wired direct to engine. Crank the engine, no spark. What did I miss?