Re: No fire past the distibutor
If you are saying that the coil does indeed produce a spark, then yes, the problem is most likely within the distributor.
If you have voltage to the coil but no spark from the center tower, then check the ground wire. If it is ok, you need to replace the coil with another.
Check the plug ends of the wires. They were steel springs and tended to rust and break
Check the high tension lead from the coil to the distributor center terminal. It should spark at least 1/4 inch.
Remove the distributor cap. Check to be sure the center button is not broken or missing and that it contacts the rotor. Check that the rotor is properly positioned. There are 8 terminals inside the dist, cap. If the rotor is positioned so that it sparks at the wrong four, they are grounded and, of course, no spark gets to the plugs. You will see the copper leads running up the inside of the cap to ground on the body. These are the incorrect terminals.
Check that the rotor is not corroded or worn. Check that the cap is located on the pin. The pin in the dist body enters a small hole in the cap rim.-- It is possible to force it on the wrong way.
Finally, if all else is OK, you need to split the distributor cap and check the wires. Unscrew the two small center screws and pry the top off the cap. The wires will come with it exposing the terminals (pointed brass pins). Be certain the terminals are not broken or corroded and that the wires were pushed onto them. Be certain the wires are protruding from the rubber gasket enough to seat on the terminals when you reassemble the cap.
