Thanks for the replies. I think the majority of my problem was the assumption that the jump starter would supply enough juice to bypass the battery entirely, I don't think that is the case.
I made some new battery cables, hooked everything back up, didn't work. I then moved the ground from the back of the transmission to the engine block. The engine turned over without the spark plugs in. For whatever reason grounding to the transmission doesn't work. I cleaned the groung pad up and it still doesn't like it when I ground to the tranny.
I have also determined that my battery is shot. When I hit the starter the voltage drops from 6.2v range to 1.8v. I think the battery is done. I've ran it dead more than 20 times. I use it in an old 8n tractor that doesn't like to start in the winter.
