Stop in for a cup of coffee

I also

like to leave the distributor"just" loose enough that I can move it by hand, and have a wrench to tighten down.
You shoul be able to get 12vts at the rear of your Alternator, and ground to the block.
ah yes - the distributor one I knew - the alternator trick I like!! I might have thought of it... but probably not - makes too much sense - LOL