A lot has been coming together since I replaced the two batteries. Cranking was stronger and faster, but still not close to being ideal. Even though the original batteries showed 12.5v on the meter -- giving me a false sense of being okay -- it looks like under load they could barely turn the engine over. And this was compounded by incorrect timing. But getting the power to the starter problem solved, hope was renewed.
I yanked the dizzy and reset the timing methodically. Lowered the dizzy, the gears meshed, and the rotor was pointing directly where I wanted #1 to fire. I double checked the cap, rotor, wires, and retested the battery voltage, then buttoned everything up ... all systems go. Cranked away and again, no fire. I've been struggling with this thing every day for more than six weeks, and it seems that things only kept getting worse, not better. It would start sometimes but run awfully ... like it was firing on maybe 4 cylinders. Finally getting spark to all 8 was a victory in itself.
I pulled the distributor (what else could it be at this point) and installed my original DUI HEI that I suspected had internal problems early on. But first, I wanted a fresh assurance the timing would be absolutely correct -- rather than simply trying to drop the DUI into place and duplicate the position of the removed dizzy -- I set TDC again (!) and then lowered it in and got the cap and rotor it spot on.
It started. It was running rough, but it started. I adjusted the timing by hand and got it to smooth out a bit, but still real rough. I took it up to 1500-2000 RPMs for awhile and it began to clear up but struggling. Once it warmed up, I expected it to get better, but it didn't. I checked the carb and found the choke closed. It is electric, but it was not wired up. I opened it some and the engine gained RPMs and sounded much better. It idles pretty good now but it still needs tweaking.
I'll trailer it to the ramp tomorrow and give it a good test run and blow off some carbon from the "new" plugs.
Thank you guys for helping me ...so generous. It's been a long trip down this mechanical tunnel, but now I can see the light!
Larry
