My poor little 78 BRAT.  Anyone else besides me ever get a new distributor cap with the center button jammed into the top of the cap?  The cap normally has a spring loaded button in the middle that rides on the rotor as it turns.  I try to never assume anything, but screwing up the manufacture of a disty cap?   Guess what, it won't start when it's like that- EVER.   It has been lots of fun troubleshooting this one.  I can't make this stuff up...I now have no hair left to pull out.  So let my torture be a lesson to all:  inspect all your new parts before you install them!!

Especially true on older stock. Some of these parts have been bouncing around in different warehouses for 20+ years now.