Jeff,
It seems this problems came on very gradually. It wasn't a catastrophic failure. It slowly got worse and worse until the poor old truck refused to run.
Things like timing, points, cap plugs and wires are usually OK, or not OK. Fuel and carburetion on the other hand can be a progressive thing. Water in the tank sloshing and slowly plugging jets...junk pulsing through the fuel line eventially plugging the needle or filter. These are the things I would look at...fuel system things.
If you squirt fuel or staring fluid into the carburetor and it pops or runs, it's usually a indication the ignition system is working as are all the other mechanical system.
It sure sounds like a fuel problems to me...maybe a collapsed rubber fuel hose..dig around and let us know.
Stuart
