negitive side coil goes to distributor. resistor keeps from burning points when running. probly burnt points or fried condencer. check with meter voltage should be 12 when cranking motor and when runing 6-8 volts to keep from burning points

mikee has it dude

start from scratch. direct power to coil from battery and straight to ground to rule out car wiring. Make sure coil has good ground. distributor wiring check with ohm meter. check coil , coil wire, doing ohm resistance. My first car 72 chevelle dark brown with cream roof. Drinking and driving ended the life of the car but no me atleast.

you could have lost the wire internally from the ignition.. common problem with older chevys. you will not see it!! its rotted inside the covering. jump your leads and try it first.. bypass the ignition. if you get power-change the ignition. if thats not it , track down all the engine wiring to the dist/starter etc.. if it worked before it should be something you missed or fell off when working on it. its usually a easy fix but you have to track it down