I'm having a strange issue here. I'm only getting spark when the key is released after cranking. Any ideas?

Using a spark plug from an ignition wire and grounding it onto the negative battery terminal. I do not see spark while cranking but as soon as the key is released to it's run position there is spark.

 

did you test everything in the distributor? if not, check the dizzy cap, rotor, then move on the the icm, if everything checks out, check the coil.

 

http://techauto.awardspace.com/ignition.html

 

Sounds like it could b a bad ingition switch, the contacts inside the switch wore out.