Sorry your day was GLOOOOOOMY
As per your question on the flashlight here is why.
I would look at the inside of the distributor cap by simply leaving all the spark plug wires attached, so you disconnect the cap from the distributor, with one hand turn the cap towards you, with the other hand use the flash light to get a GOOD look at those six contacts I had mentioned earlier.
Usually it may be a bit hard to see what I'm asking you to look for unless you took the whole thing off, then it is just as easy to replace it.
As many other of my fellow low riders in this forum, I consider myself quite mechanically inclined. If you looked at the pictures I sent you, you can see by my engine compartment I'M NO JOKE!
I relax by building motors, custom low rider race motors.
I can easily shoot a whole lot of fix this or try that but thats not me...
I really want to help you're lack of power and would even consider giving you call if you would e-mail your phone number. There is a lot may be this or may be that, but from my experience you can waste hundreds of dollars only to find out some $10.00 or $20.00 part was the whole issue.
On another note; if it has been quite a while since it had a major tune up it may be time or past due to have her a tuned up anyways.
I know a lot of little tricks to get horse power out of an older original motor.
One is change the original air filter.
A simple vacuum advance kit does wonders.
Using "Taylor Made" spark plug wires and finding the longest wire and cutting all of the wires the same length.
The carberator is an obvious issue. You would be surprised what hydros do to carbs if your hoppin. So some attention needs to be here also.
I can go on and on.
But first lets see whats in the cap?
Look forward really helping you get some power for you T-Bird.
Unless you've got Major motor problems (it don't sound like it) I don't see any problem getting you car to smoke them 13" 100 spoke rims with out any problem.
Talk to ya soon.
