still no spark..but we do have forward progress

there is still no spark to the plugs...but i am getting a spark from the wire...does this mean that the spark plug cap has a bad connection?? new spark plug wires maybe...?

Sounds like Spark Cap or Spark Plug to me.

Try swapping in a known good Spark Plug. If it works, it was a bad plug. If not, swap out the Spark Cap. If it works it was the Spark Cap. If not, swap out the high voltage Wire. If it works, it was the Wire. If not, swap out the Coil. If it works, it was the Coil. If not, run a wire from you Battery (fused) to the Coil (+) Positive. If it works, it was the Wiring. If not, could be Ground Wire from Batter (-) Negative to Engine.

That should get you on your way for now.

Best of success.
Bill

Have you checked the Ohm's of the coils? To check, disconnect the smaller input wires and use a multimeter set at the lowest level/setting. It might read 2.2 to 3 ohms.

Then with the coil still disconnected,check the output side(I'm not sure of the expected readings),but it might be several thousand Ohms.

Sparkplug caps and coil wires to the sparkplugs are working in a very hot environment and need periodic replacement. If your sparkplug(or high tension leads) are not molded into the coils, 7MM sparkplug wires will work from the local hot rod shop.

I believe Z1 also sells new sparkplug caps.

also check the resistance of your plug caps they should read very close to 5 k ohm on your ohmmeter if they don't replace them.