I just replaced the motor in my 96 metro it was running when I pulled the engine now the new one wont even attempt to start no spark to the plugs. I'm getting 12V to the coil but nothing to the distributor via the wire between coil and dist. This is the original set from before Ipulled the engine so it should be ok. I checked the coil according to the repair manual and it all checks out ok. I dont know what the wire between coil and dist should ohm out to mines at around 3.8kohms. I've tried 2 different wires, coils and dist with no luck. Any help would be appreciated.

You need the distributor from your old engine, but more likely, you need a crankshaft position sensor. Between the oil pan and the lower belt pulley there is a sensor (on 96 and newer) that the old engines don't have. Without it, you'll never get spark. Also, an oil pan gasket can sometimes keep this sensor from working.

I installed a third distributor and finally got spark but still wont start. I think there is a problem with the engine I installed. So I'm going to rebuild the engine I removed which ran but smoked. Thanks for the help.

run a compression test and post the numbers