You may already know this Fuzzy, but here are a couple of thoughts:
1. Avoid Pertronix. Others have said so, and I'll echo everything they've said plus more. The HEI unit made/sold by Tom Langdon is very good.
2. When you have the engine back together and it is to the point of turning over, there are only two things you need to make it start (assuming your camshaft and crankshaft gear are mated at the right spot):
a. fuel...and it is very easy to know if you have fuel or don't
b. spark...and you have to have that spark at the right time. As a boy, I was taught to do this and it will work: With ignition off, put the number 1 cylinder at just a
hair before top dead center position. You can either remove the valve cover and watch the valves moving or you can remove the plug and stick your finger in the
plug hole to feel when compression starts to happen as the engine is turned over. Then you know you're in the right part of the stroke. When you have the piston
at just before top dead center, remove the distributor cap and see if the rotor tip is pointing to the spot where the number 1 spark plug cable connects. Now (very
important), going clockwise from the number 1 plug on that distributor cap, make certain the next wire goes to number 5, then 3, 6, 2, 4. Now with the cap back
on, loosen the distributor a bit, turn the ignition switch on, connect the number 1 wire to the number 1 plug, hold it on a good ground and while watching that
plug, rotate the distributor back and forth a bit to see if the plug sparks. If it does, you know you're probably wired correctly...at least to make it start. Rotate
the distributor again slowly and when the number 1 plug sparks, stop and tighten the distributor holding screw. Replace the plug and wire and then try to start it.
