I figured that out. The problem with the first distributor was a bent breaker plate to where the pickup had very wide gap on top and small gap at the bottom. Second one was almost square on the pickup, but still had issue.
Yesterday, Paul showed me where a distributor was in a smashed belvedere that had a receipt in the trunk from jegs for the conversion kit < 2 years old. This one is very solid, has the stainless collar instead of the plastic one. That is now what I have on the shelf for when I eventually try this again.