Ignition Points Tech Question

So, you know you can disconnect the wire from the coil to the distributor and scrape that wire on the block or intake totally bypassing the distributor/points and you should have a spark from the coil.

If not, the problem isn't in the distributor at all.
This isn't a positive ground system is it?
(Does the battery positive cable connect to the block or body?)

The comment about the ignition negative wire going to the coil made me wonder.

BTW, not using a condenser may or may not let it run but if it does at all it'll run like crap (BADLY like crap)
You would however get a random spark from the coil without a condenser.