Beyond Frustrated - Wont start/stay running

If its a points distributor, you can run a hot wire to the coil right from the battery and see what ya got, this "overlays " the primary side( Ign switch, ballast resisitor) I wouldn't run it too long as it will burn the points, straight voltage going to the points. But if the car starts, you have narrowed it down to the primary side of the circuit. Also, be mindful of fouling and flooding, cranking the engine may be loading up the cylinders with gas when you finally do get spark, it may still not fire off, but it should pop and backfire. You may want to pull a plug or two if you get it to pop and backfire.