Michael's problem

[John Hofstetter <hofs@domain.elided>]

>John H., Tom H., John L.  Any ideas here?  Sounds like he's really done a 
>lot.  Even scraped carbon from the pistons and heads.  
>
>Steve

Steve,
No, I'm not old enough to remember the 70's. 
In regard to Michael's problem, he needs to narrow the problem down. 

Is he getting gas?
Dirtball and I suggested that he do a pressure check and a volume check. 
For all we know he may have something blocking his fuel pickup.

Iginition ?(I'm going to this first, because to me it is easier than 
dealing with the carb)
Dan just raised the question of how he can be using both points and the 
Gold Box. Also, I think Michael asked about the Gold Box tendency to be 
intermittent, which doesn't fit with the points. 

Timing, is he timing it on cylinder #8? I think he is because I think he 
learned this earlier.
Wiring, are the wires going to the right plugs from the right holes in 
the distributor cap?
Are the wires all good? I can't remember if Michael said whether or not 
he replaced the wires. If he did then I would emphasize the "are they 
going to the right holes" aspect.
If he didn't then are they radio suppression wires? If they are, they are 
probably shot. I know that they can be tested with an ohm meter but I 
don't remember the number ranges for radio wires. 

Component replacement is the easiest test device for people without test 
equipment.
If he has the Gold Box, he should try a new one. Even if the old one is 
OK, this would give him a spare. It's possible that someone in his area 
has a Gold Box and would let Michael borrow it long enough for a test. 

Coil, in my experience, the OE IHC coils have not been particularly 
durable. I have a spare coil that I could loan or even give him, but 
getting it to him would entail almost as much expense as him buying one 
down there. Again, maybe he said he replaced the coil, I need to go back 
and read his post, but it's so depressing. (sad grin)

If everything checks out up to here, it's time for you carb guys to give 
him some help. I've forgotten more than I ever learned about carburetors. 
(that was only partly a joke)

It's too the credit of the digesters that so many of us feel badly for 
Michael. Let's get that damn thing running right Michael.

John H.