is there any way to see how much voltage is getting to the plugs? some kind of volt meter or somthing.
i tried hooking a cheep volt meter to a plug wire one time, blew the meter up.

 

Most auto parts stores sell a spark plug gap checker. It's an adjustable gap that mounts between the spark plug and the wire. A good spark needs to be able to jump approximately 3/4" gap. My friend's coil failed; it still produced a spark, just a weak spark that wouldn't jump the 3/4" gap.

 

thanks

p.s. i'm trying to track down a light miss

 

Also try a HEI spark tester, most tool and part stores have them looks like a small spark plug, easy to use also.