Sounds like you're getting close.
If a timing change or new plugs doesn't help, you might want to look at your wiring/terminals/ignition switch, as some of that wiring looks a bit hinky and/or connections possibly corroded. I've had a few older vehicles that had massive carbon build-up in the ignition switch. As a last resort you might want to run a new, uncut wire from a "clean" battery terminal to the coil to check things out.
The points in your distributor look misaligned and worn (perhaps it's just the angle of the picture?) Just trying to think of anything else...
I took some time off, came back, checked continuity from my ignition switch to the voltage regulator and a couple other places. It didn't look like too much corrosion behind the igniton switch and everything else looked good but i put a lead straight from the battery to the ignitiom coil and she started up. I had to keep my foot on the gas to keep her running, but she ran smooth with no backfires. The problem was she wouldn't idle on her own. No combination of choke or throttle was keepong her up. I almost had it to operating tenperatures when i lost it. I'm thinking carburetor idle fuel supply
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