scottbit,
Welcome to the helpful land of Bolts. It sounds like you know your stuff, so I would just add a few comments.
It seems that the problems started after the wiring incident, so one would assume they could be related.
The battery must have a good, full charge and spin the engine with "vigor". You mentioned generator, so I guess this is still a 6 volt system.
If you have a tester, make sure you have voltage to the key side (+) of the coil while cranking. You can pull a plug wire and touch it to a ground to verify power to the plugs.
Remember, the 6 volt system must be in top notch shape to start the truck properly. It might be interesting to help the rig along with a booster or a jumper battery and see if that does the trick.
If the rig ran fine before the battery fizzled, nothing was tampered with on the engine, and now it won't start, the logical conclusion would be the starting system.
All the standard items should be looked at in addition to the obvious. Is there fuel in the tank..do you have spark..are the points working properly. These items must be in good shape, but the primary culprit could be the battery or starting system. Good luck and keep us posted!
Stuart
