conventional contact point gas engine (willys engine)

Engine ran at idle for about 3 minutes then just went dead. tried restarting, just a click on the starter. unbolted starter then wired directly to battery and after some hesitation, came back to life. now starter turns over, but engine wont start.

Situation report:
1. Ammeter stays at zero when switched on (previously, ammeter swings to discharge side when "switched On". tried wiggling and reconnecting all connections for possible corrosion still the same)
2. no spark at the ignition coil secondary
3. Got battery voltage at ignition coil positive and negative terminals (with a spark on the points when opened).
4. ignition coil primary resistance = 4 ohms
5. ignition coil secondary resistance = 8,100 ohms
6. ignition coil to distributor hi-tension wire resistance = 1017 ohms.
7. no carbon tracks on distributor housing. looks good visually.

comments/inputs please.