Please Help....I installed a 1966 383 in my sons Studebaker. Now, I want to test run the motor...I ran a positive battery cable to the starter, the black wire from distributor to the negative side of the coil and a positive lead from the battery to the positive side of the coil. The engine & battery are grounded to the frame. Still no spark....what am I missing?

 

where they are grounded, is it painted?
make sure the bolts are touching metal

 

What ignition is on the car ? Ballast resistor etc etc ? Ignition module ?
Just thinking out loud.

 

Polardude is on the right track, if it's not a point distributor, you'll have to have some sort of ignition box to get it running. If it's a point type, check your gap and make sure they aren't burned. Pre set your timing by lining up your marks, powering the distributor, and then turn it till the points fire while you are turning it. You should be within a couple degrees of TDC there.

 

Yes, points were gapped to 0.060" instead of 0.017"
Also, found a bad spark plug wire
We have spark!
Thanks!

 

Right on, glad we could help.

 

does it run now?