Figured I would update this thread as the cause of all of my woe was finally identified, fixed and now the engine runs like a top.
After replacing and checking basically everything on the engine even remotely related to this problem and eventually working my way back and replacing the ignition as it turns out there is also a separate fuse wired just off the ignition - although I had replaced the fuse I had not replaced the fuse holder -naturally this turned out to be the problem - basically bad connections on the fuse holder. So long story short if you have a similar problem add this to your list of items to check.
Thx again to everyone for the help on this.
