Thanks for the suggestions but I already did the spark test ( I have spark) and pulled the valve cover and all looks OK in there. I'm going to ponder everything for a while then get on it again.

Mal that was what I thought could be the problem so I took a good look while the engine was running. The only thing I questioned was the rapid spinning (compared to the others) of the valve.

Firing order is correct and the wires are not shorting out. I put the plug against the block and I was getting a very good spark.

One more thing I noticed that I forgot to mention. While looking at the valve lifters with the engine running one of the valves and it lifter (on #4) were rotating a lot faster than the all the others. Does that mean anything to anybody?

I really really don't want to pull the head on my beast.

It does make a little puff puff sound but it always did that. I'm stumped as is a mechanic friend of mine

Vacuum is good - changed wire ,plug, cap and even a known good dist. Very Very strange.

Drat - no difference

I seem to be having a problem with #4 cyl on my 38 120 coupe. It doesn't seem to be firing, If I pull the plug wire off it seems to make no difference in the engine performance- RPMs don't drop at all where as all the others do. I have spark (changed both wire and plug) and the compression is within 5 lbs of all the other cylinders. I sprayed some carb cleaner around the intake manifolds and no change. I pulled the valve cover and everything looks to be OK while running. I am now running short of things to try next


ANY IDEAS?

Oct 5-8

Who is going? I'm going to be there Thurs. afternoon through Sat. afternoon.
I'm on the hunt for a right front fender for my 38 coupe.