[MrPbody]

First off, 1980 small block had the HEI (High Energy Ignition) distributor w/integral coil. No computer in a 1980. '81 was the first year. The distributors are easily identified as the pre-81s have a vacuum advance "can" and the computer-controlled do not.

ALL '56 V8s had a "divorced" coil. They used "points" as a trigger instead of a magnetic "pickup" like the electronic units of more recent times.

If using an HEI (Large diameter cap., coil "in cap"), there is only one external wire "hookup". A 12V "switched" source plugged into the "BAT" terminal, make sure it doesn't have a "ballast resistor" in-line, and is at least 14 ga (12 is better). The points-type coil needs only 8V to operate correctly. This prevents the points from "burning" by too much current going through them.

I hope I'm reading your post correctly, as some of what you've said doesn't "jive" with my experience.

Jim