You need fuel, compression and spark.
First check for blown fuse(s).
1. Check for fuel by looking down the carburetor and opening the throttle. You should get a spray of fuel from the accelerator pump.
2. If that is good, check for spark at the plugs. Use an old spark plug and take a wire off one of the cylinders and connect to the test spark plug. Ground the plug on metal, not near the carburetor and crank the engine. You should see a strong blue spark.
3. If no spark, pull the distributor cap and have someone crank the engine. Look at the rotor to see if it turns. If not you have a broken roll pin on the distributor gear. If it turns, check the points if so equipped to make sure there is at least a .025 gap. Check the cap and rotor for carbon tracks, especially from the center contact.
4. Check for 12 volts at the points if all else looks good. If no voltage check for voltage at the coil primary. If voltage at the coil, check for broken lead to distributor.
5. If no voltage at the coil check for voltage at the :1 ignition switch. 2. The primary resistance wire or ballast resistor. 3. Trace wiring if no voltage and possibly broken ign switch. 4. Check at the starter solenoid "S" terminal for battery voltage when cranking - this by-passes the ballast resistor to supply full battery voltage to the ign coil when cranking.
5. Check compression.
That should keep ya busy a for a couple of minutes.
And don't tell me its a diesel.