ignition starting problem

Steve it sounds to me like the mod you did to bypass the ballast resistor is correct. That should give you full 12 volts anytime the key is on or in the crank position. It sounds like the classic case of the ignition switch has gone bad and not providing power when your cranking but since you bypassed the ballast it shouldn't matter. The only test I can think of is to hook up your volt meter to the B+ going to the dist. and monitor it while your cranking it over an see if in fact it is getting voltage then.