New data.

So I finished bolting everything together. Put the old Distributor back in with a new rotor and cap just to get the car started and better positioned in the garage.

Car starts right up. I shut it down, hook up my timing light, start the car and adjust the timing.

Then I shut it down, go in the house and come back in a bit (bathroom if you must know) and start the car, it starts right up. I take the car for a trip around the subdivision with intent of bringing it back and getting it better positioned in the garage. Engine sounds and feels good.

I notice after about 10 houses or so that my alt meter is pegged...I immediately turn back around and come home. Check all wires and ground, go to start the car...won't fire. Same as Thursday night! I unplugged and inspected all cables going in to the engine side of the junction block, checked that the cables are seated under the dash. Nothing. I then waited about two hours (actually cursed the car and recruited family members to help me push it in the garage) when I tried one last time and it started right up once again!

OK, so on order now is a new engine harness and distributor.

I sort of wished it was a mechanical problem, it was a great excuse to tear it apart and maybe go with a stiffer cam, etc...electrical really blows.

Remember any loose connection at the firewall is going to be the fault of the dash harness......BUT it's not that hard to fix, just time consuming.

fusable link going out

Focus on the heavy black wire from the alternator to the harness and the heavy red wire from the battery to the harness. Those are the main power feeds for everything on the car. Pull each one out of its slot in the harness plug by using a screwdriver to push the male end together and inspect each closely. They typically turn green and if there is resistance from corrosion they can get hot enough to melt the wiring and surrounding plastic.
I'd also look at the fusible link. And check the grounds to the voltage regulator and firewall to block.

Just dealt with this, wires to and from the ammeter were fried. Do the Mad Electrical ammeter bypass and sleep better.

http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

Fixed!!!

Those guessing distributor pick up were closest to the pin.

I did replace the engine harness, since the orignal '69 piece was still there and getting a little rotted. I tightened all grounds. And did find that the nuts that clamp down the wires to the back of the Alt gauge were loose. Also, the connections from the main harness to the junction block were pretty corroded. But it all got better with the distributor swap, harness was pretty weak though.

The best clue, when it would turn over but not start, the engine seemed to want to kick as I let the key off. Several boards, including here, identified that as a symptom of the pick up.

Thanks to all!!!!!!