K, well I had spark out the coil, but I checked it with a "tester plug" I made up. Putting the coil wire 1/4" from ground produced NO spark. Upon pulling the coil though, I found the wire for the condenser was frayed right by the condenser itself, with only about 3 strands connecting. Did I only change the condenser to scientifically see if that was the problem? naw, I changed the coil too.

The night that it was stuck, the troop kept overheating (pushing it pretty hard) To help cool it down, I would throw snow on the running engine, wich brought the temps down pretty good (cooling system is typical, cracked HG but full of antifreeze). I "think" that after doing this 3 times it may have caused a short in the coil, due to the rapid expansion/contraction. But the condenser problem was there too, so I replaced both.

MANY THANKS FOR THE INPUT