Engine Will Not Start

Brief background. In the summer-fall the engine would start, very limited mileage, and even drove into the garage to do a auto to 4 speed swap. To do the swap I removed the distributor, but left all the wires on the cap and everything else the same. My dad and I re-installed the distributor made sure the engine was TDC and ensured all the wires were correct per factory specs. But the engine will not start.

When we remove the spark plug and ground it there is no spark, but there is spark at the coil. We done voltage checks and we get 12v until the ballast resistor were it is only 8v, that of course goes to the coil. When we do try to start it the only time it even tries to backfire is when I turn the ignition off after trying to start.

I have the complete FBO ignition set, and have all ready replaced the ballast resistor. When doing a check I noticed that the starter solenoid is different for auto to manuals so I ordered that should be here tommorow. Could the starter solenoid be the problem?

Almost forgot there was a neutral safety wire that I just grounded so that the engine would turn over could that cause a problem?

Thank you in advance for your help.

Jason