i posted earlier under lsn1104. for some reason i cannot sign in. to answer hanky's questions: it has a carburetor. it has a 302 engine. i do have a test light. i have no fire at the plugs. the 8th digit in the vin is f. thanks for your help.

 

Lets start with the test lite.
When you turn the ign on you should have juice at the + terminal of the ign coil.
If so , then when cranking, you should have a blinling test lite at the coil - terminal.
If so , you should be able to place the coil high tension wire near a ground 3/16 gap when cranking and see the spark jumping to ground.
If you have spark there it has to go thru the dist cap to the rotor and then to the individual spark plugs when the engine is cranking. Somewhere in there you are losing the spark. If you can let me know at what step you lose it, I can maybe help you determine the cause. OK? hanky