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Causes of engine missing?

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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 11:07 AM
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Causes of engine missing?

Ok, my 78' 400 engine starts and runs pretty good. It does miss a bit-more when cold-and I would like to figure out why. Here is what I have done to it.

New plugs-old ones looked good
New Wires
New cap and rotor
Choke is set properly
Vacuum is about 23-25lbs.
No leaks that I could tell.
Timing is 10dtc-should be 8dtc-have been soaking the distributor with PB Blaster it won't budge.

Anything else I could check for?
 
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 07:38 PM
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A compression test will identify the cylinder in question and a leak-down test will tell you where the compression is going. Alternatively, while the motor is running you can pull plug wires one at a time. If the motor runs the same, that cylinder is the one causing you problems. Just be careful not to ground yourself on the fender when you're doing this.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 10:31 AM
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I will try that thanks.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 10:41 AM
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23-25" of vacuum, that's one tight motor, at idle is it a steady reading or does it flucuate?
 
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 10:45 AM
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It fluctuates a pound. I don't know if it's the cheap gauge. It's the $12 one from Harbor Freight.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 10:53 AM
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At idle you should have a pretty rock steady needle without any fluctuation, 21" at sea level is perfect, you'll lose an inch of vacuum for every 1,000 feet in altitude.

Reading your vacuum gauge
 
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 11:56 AM
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I am at about 150 feet above sea level. From the link you posted it looks like it could be a manifold leak at intake port.
 
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 12:19 PM
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What exactly is your vacuum gauge "reading" @idle and is it connected to manifold vacuum?
 
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 12:48 PM
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Yes, it's connected to the manifold via the tree. I took off the plug-the tree had one open port. At idle warmed up it reads between 23-24/25is. It bounces between those numbers. I can post a video later.

Would a leak anywhere cause the needle to bounce?
 
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