Hi Chris,
Yes, I would make the same suggestions as the other guys. To get the problem solved you should go step by step. First I would do a visual down the throat of the carb primaries with a flashlight. Pump the throttle while looking down and check to see if fuel is spraying out the accellerator pump ports. If you dont see it squirt there is no gas in the carb and it is probably a fuel problem. If so, I would still try priming the carb to see if the car will run with fuel: Use a tiny funnel or a pointy squirt bottle to fill the primary float bowl with gas. Dont pour gas down the carb into the throttle body, but instead fill the float so the car will run on its own naturally (and possibly keep running if the problem resolved itself). Should run for about 1-2 minutes on the float bowl alone.
The fuel pump was 'new' on the car, but I'd still check that just in case. Also, could be the float itself (could have gotten stuck in the up position due to dirt at the needle/seat) and might miraculously resolve itself. If it does, dont worry too much about it happening again unless the fuel got contaminated somehow. Probably a fluke.
If it does not start with fuel, then go through the ignition system as suggested. Since it was a sudden problem, I'd check the integrity of the points (but dont move the dwell setting), check the coil wires (both low voltage and hi), and check the wires going to the ignition resisitor on the pass side of the engine near the coil. Quick check of spark can be done by separating the points and looking for spark (with the ignition on). Wont be the plugs, plug wires, dist cap, rotor or anything like that. If all the ignition goes at once, is nearly always in the circuit from the main hi volt coil wire backwards to the low volt side somewhere. If all else fails, try the condensor, but that's a long shot.
All in all the car is so simple it is probably a very inexpensive problem.
I highly doubt it is the timing chain. That engine was so clean and well maintained I would be very surprised if it were anything serious.
Call me anytime if you want to talk this out. 516-316-2048.
Alan
PS: Fire extinguisher still with the car? I'd keep that ready at all times esp while working with the carb. Ya never know.
