Okay,... Yes I made sure that the distributor base makes metal to metal contact with the engine block. I made sure that the ground lug and wire were installed and connected in the top of the cap. I made sure that the three-wire plug cant be reversed and I made sure that full voltage is transmitted to the dist while cranking. With a hot lead and good ground, this type of distributor SHOULD be otherwise self contained and produce spark. The distributor IS rotating, so should produce fire. I considered timing jump but that would result in misplaced firing... In a quandry!