1969 F250 300 1bbl T18(4spd) 2wd

Please, any help or links to previous threads would be appreciated (limited internet access)

I've been working on this truck for over a year and the motor seems to have a rolling miss: I would try to compare it to it running fine, then advanced, then rough, then retarded, then fine again, repeating in 45 second intervals (approximately)

I've tuned it up (points, cap, rotor, condenser, plugs, wires) and tried to set the timing off the marks on the aluminum cover. It then runs poorly, so I've set it by ear/road feel.

I moved the distributor one tooth in each direction, it runs worse.

I replaced the carb with a 'good' used YF from a parts swap, no noticeable difference, the distributor vacuum is connected to the driver side port, I have the passenger side port plugged.

The ex manifold was replaced a few years ago, and I replaced both manifold gaskets last fall.

I have sprayed carb-n-choke cleaner all around the top of the motor, no noticeable vacuum leaks.

I set the valve lashing, it was fairly close where it was.

The compression - (as best as I can recall) 1-2-5-6 were very close, 3-4 were paired higher. (Either 100-120 or 120-150 respectively.)

Tuning up a few days ago, 1-2-3-4 plugs were normal, 5-6 were wet and sooty.

The points were .001 to tight, so I reset them. The spark 'looked/sounded' weak?

I even turned the dist counterclockwise as far as it would go and the engine actually ran the wrong way for 10-15 seconds.

What should I do next?

Pull the timing cover to see if there is alignment in the gears?

Replace the distributor?

I checked the resistance in the harness to the coil and I think I read it as being off.

How often does that go out?

Should I rule out fuel issues and focus on spark?

I once bought a cap that fit too low and the rotor rubbed, but didn't seem to make things much worse.

Any advice would be awesome.

Thank you in advance.

 

Check to see if the distributor shaft is solid. If you have any side to side play your bushings are worn. Make sure you have movement on your mech and vaccum advance mechinisims. Suck on the vaccum advance diaphram to see if it is rotted out. If you build a vaccum it is good. You get a mouth full of air it is bad.

Check the rocker arms as well. I chased a phantom miss for a few months last year only to come up with loose rockers!
Lots of things to check here so just keep screwing with it.