gas spark/JD60

Two questions for you experts here.
1. What's the best way to check to see if you have spark at each cylinder? Is it to screw out the plug, connect into plug wire, hold grounding area against the frame & turn it over while looking for spark to jump?
2. If I appear to have plenty of gas going to one cylinder (shows on plug) but the other cylinder plug is remaining dry, what could cause this?
Thanks,
Arnie

It's possible that the dirt and gum in 60+ years of fuel, sediment and rust may have plugged the little bitty ports in the carb.
Time for a 100% tear down and cleanup. Time and money spent Soaking in carb cleaner and blasting with compressed air would be better spent on lottery tickets.
Autolite 3116 non resistor plugs gapped 35 thou and solid core wires .

My preference is to use a STROBE LITE /Timing LITE and install new AUTOLITE NON RESISTOR PLUGS AUTOLITE 3116 PLUGS. I use only sold WIRED CORED HIGH TENSION SPARK PLUG WIRES.
For what it's worth:
Bob...

As you may be aware of: The VOLTAGE supply that is required to Jump a gapped SPARK PLUG when DRY and lying on the side of the ENGINE BLOCK is much LESS than the VOLTAGE required to Jump a gapped plug when introduced into a wet atomized fuel mixture under pressure. You may also whish to CLEAN the BOSS "AREA where SPARK PLUG contacts Engine Block" as well as THREADS in Engine BLOCK....threads where SPARK PLUG threads.
Bob....

Thanks, Guys. I've been putting off sending the carb to Mike Shelby but it looks like it's time to get with him & have it done right. I've got new wires from the dealer, need to pick up more 3116 Autolites, new points, condenser, distributor cap, coil, etc. are all waiting to be put in. It's times like this I wish I had the 60 in the garage instead of carport where it's a wind tunnel at times. Here in Va. it's gotten down to 18 or so last night....approx. same temp as where I was born & raised in central N.Y. up by Shelby......brrrrr !!!! All that snow Buffalo is getting & Farmers Almanac predicting a hard winter for EVERYONE I sure would like to have my 60 going so I can enjoy plowing some snow when it decides to hit us.

Appreciate the info & suggestions. I just have to bite the bullet & on my days off put the torpedo heater blowing on me & get to work.

Arnie

PS- Even though I've been using the Startron stabilizer the gas has been in there for over a year so I'm gonna drain all that old gas out & put new in too. I don't trust that gas of nowadays for long. Do y'all suggest regular or high test to help the ole 60 talk again?