<VV> Electrical help needed - long

[Gallagher, Kevin]

I am trying to get my 62 Spyder started after 26 years.  The engine has been rebuilt and installed.  I followed a tip from VV a few weeks ago about running the oil pump and setting the distributor.  I have a new coil, cap, and wires.  The plugs, points and rotor appear good.  The battery is new, the starter and generator are rebuilt.  The wiring harnesses are original.  The engine cranks but does not fire or even spark.  Here is what I have done.
1. Since the starter turns, my wiring from the battery and ignition must be good so I tested the voltage (with ignition in ON position) coming out of the starter (solenoid).  It registered 12.
2. I checked the voltage at the first connector inside the firewall.  It did not register so I removed the starter harness and put a new terminal on the starter end, the wires are in good shape.  It now registers 12 at the connection.
3. I checked the voltage at the positive end of coil as well as the outgoing wire (plug wire to distributor cap) and they now register 12.
4. With the distributor cap off and distributor loose, I turn distributor to see if points spark, they do.
5. I installed the distributor cap with only the #1 wire attached, turn distributor while grounding spark plug to body (new plug), no spark.
6. I assume it is the rotor or cap and replace with new rotor first.  I try again only to have smoke rise from distributor.  The points have melted along with part of small wire from coil negative post to points.
7. I replaced points, condenser and wire, check all other areas for possible short.  Try again, now smoke from brown wire at coil negative post (tach lead?) and harness warms up all the way back.
8. I disconnected the tach leads from both sides of coil and try again.  Nothing.
9. Return to starter, no voltage coming out of starter.
10.  I got quite frustrated and quit for the day.
 
I am trying to avoid buying a new harness and don't know if that's the answer anyway (I'd hate to try only to burn up a new one).  The resistor in the engine bay by the coil is also original but appears in good shape.  Why would it start smoking only after I replaced the rotor (especially when I had the ignition on several times, some for a couple of minutes)?  Why don't I get voltage from the solenoid now?  Any ideas?
 
Somewhat related.  I have joined CORSA and have tried several times to contact my local chapter, Mid Ohio Vair Force, with no success.  If I had a local contact, maybe someone could stop by and look at my problem.  Anyone out there from Central Ohio?  Anyone know how I can contact the local chapter?
 
Thanks in advance.
 
Kevin Gallagher
62 Spyder Coupe
63 Monza Convertible (parts car...)