You first need to narrow-down the problem to either spark or fuel.

If the problem is spark, attack it like any other car.

If it's fuel related, two common problem areas are in the trigger points (located in the base of the distributor), or the throttle position switch (which is tied to the throttle plate shaft). If it runs smooth part of the time and she was able to bring it to life by pumping the throttle, it sounds as though the throttle switch isn't the problem.

If it has good spark, I think I'd look towards the trigger points. Each of the two breakers controls the fuel to two cylinders. The trigger timing is not critical, as long as they definately open and close. The problem could be as simple as moisture in them or the plug on the back side of the distributor is loose.