weird spak plug test results

[73series88]

hi
i had the series 3 88 a few weeks ago that would only runand low speeds and sputer and die
truck wont start at all now
no issues with the fuel system
opened the distributer and replaced the condenser and the high tesnion lead
cleaned the ground lead
new plugs wires cap rotor everythings changes
pulled the coil out of my 912 because i know its good no change
was doing a spark check with the plugs
great arch if i hold the plugs away from the ground alittle
now touch the plugs to the ground and i get nothing on the ignition gap
iif i touch the plug to the ground i should still get an arch on the gap shouldnt i ?
any ideas
thanks
aaron

[greasyhandsagain]

Is the low tension lead and the condenser lead ON TOP of the point frame? They need to be in contact metal to metal with the points, and NOT with the little plastic washer inbetween.

Hows your compression?

Reason I ask about these two things is that Ive just went through similar problems...and these were the answers.

[73series88]

yeh the wires are in the right place
a friend told me to take one of the 912 plugs and test it with that
arched perfectly
he said the plugs must be shorting out
remember this is the truck that wouldnt restart until it cooled down
now there just shot
autolight 403
gonna run out and get the right ones