Put your bolt in with some blue Loctite. Then wait overnight. Then it should work. This probably won't work to start the engine, but will do for checking the spark because you will be turning it over without the spark plug in place so there will be no compression resistance. (Actually just installing the bolt tight without the Loctite will probably work, but it would work for sure with Loctite).

Numerous times I have not been able to see a spark because of the day light, but when I went into a semi-dark room the spark was immediately evident. This very thing happened to my brother just last week. He was checking for spark in the shade of his front porch and it appeared there was no spark. But when I told him to wait until nearly dark to try it again, he saw that it had good spark.

Also, for the spark to occur at the plug gap, the plug shell needs to make good contact against the engine. I have a wire with a large alligator clip on one end and a smaller one on the other end. I use the large clip on the shell of the plug, then connect the other end of the wire with the smaller alligator clip to one of the cooling fins. Then you know you have a good ground and the spark should show at the plug gap.

Good luck and let us know. How about some recent pics??

AV8TOR