How do you test an electronic control unit?

If you have a small block (always tell us), look at the "ready-to-run" HEI distributor ($45 ebay). Many reviews here.

HEI gets rid of the ballast, which was needed with early electronic ignitions like the 70's Mopar. Simpler and stronger spark. Read Megasquirt for more idea. To go further, you need a toothed crank pickup wheel, like I put on my Dart. Then you can retrofit a Ford EDIS and perhaps GM LS coils, but both require a spark computer.