Some progress this afternoon after work: I bought the ignition module at NAPA for about $24, and ordered a new coil; I installed the module, nothing to it. Looking behind, I noticed the vacuum hose on the vacuum advance: completely rotten on the end and barely hanging on it's nipple: Ouch! I should have already checked this!
I trimmed the end back to solid material, used a piece of hose to suck on the advance and watched it work with the distributor cap off, and it was not stuck; I gave it a shot of PB Blaster anyway.
Got her all back together, and she started after a couple of cranks, and idled the best I've see her run so far. I took her down the road and she ran great. When I got back I garaged her, stopped the engine and she started right back up. Maybe it was the ignition module; no doubt it will run better without the vacuum leak, PLUS with a working advance. I am still going to replace the coil, though. The idle speed was slightly over 1000 RPM according to the tach; maybe a little high.
I tell you: I saw that Lucas ignition amplifier box offered by several vendors on-line and the highest asking price I saw was over $800. Talk about getting to people: whew! Just shows the value of knowledge and of this Forum! Thanks everyone!

 

yeah I laughed out loud when I saw someone trying to sell a used Lucas electronic ignition amplifier for $400. some things are just silly. that's cool you found the leak coming off the vacuum advance. That's gonna help a lot, installing a new coil is only going to improve things too. =)