I found suitable replacements for the distributor and coil and swapped them out, it starts and runs like a different car. I believe the distributor was failing for a few years and I didn't know what it was (270k miles blurs simple diagnostics in the generalized wear), but quite a noticeable improvement. Thanks to all
thank you naru2, that's the monster for sure, I am glad I won't have to rebuild it though, I'm at the age my resistance to turning a wrench is much worse than the actual doing it