Update on my efforts to track down the subtle, irregular engine miss/skip since the engine was first started after a rebuild: I
Engine is a 261 full flow block .060 over, with 848 cyl head (drilled for steam holes), Langdon’s “Bulldog” cam, dual Carter/Webers, Fenton intake & exhaust.
No evidence of any radiator coolant/oil contamination.
At this point, I have done the following:
Plugged the brake booster fitting on the intake manifold and the pcv fitting
Replaced the ignition coil
Replaced the spark plugs
Replaced the HEI module
Replaced the distributor cap
Replaced the distributor rotor
Replaced the ignition wires
Installed new terminals on every ignition wire
Bypassed the ignition switch
Run an extra ground wire to the distributor housing
Installed wire separators
Checked alternator output and voltage at the coil terminal
Checked all ignition system wires for any indications of chafing, breaks, bad crimps, etc…
Played around with plug gaps from .032 to .060
Removed the carb tops and removed all jets and cleaned all jets and passageways with compressed air and carb cleaner.
Set idle mixture and re-synch carbs
Check dynamic cylinder cranking pressures
Check all pushrods for straightness, set valve lash, and observe all valves operating at idle.
Fuel pressure was checked after the fuel pump was installed- ~4psi
The only thing that I have not replaced in the entire ignition is the pickup coil.
