[vettestr]

Down and dirty ignition inspection would be checking for visual signs. Look inside the distrib. cap for fine carbon tracking or fine black lines from any point to another, check center coil post as they are known to wear to nothing, check rotor. Verify all wires are connected firmly and no discolored or burnt signs.

Verify battery voltage is above 12.5 VDC at rest and voltage above 13.7 when running. With engine running pull a good plug wire from plug and look at spark color (be careful) it should be neon blue = yellowish is bad condenser-points or cap and orange is a bad coil or low voltage. Other causes possible but neon blue is what you need and a quick check can be done just cranking engine but running is best test.

Check wires for leakage or arcing by starting engine in the dark and looking for sparks. Move them around a bit with wooden hammer handle but do all this with common sense and be safe. Double check for proper firing order and plug wire routing if anything was worked on before problem started. If 2 or more cylinders are at fault are they side by side or in the firing order next to each other. Will problem follow a wire moved from hole to hole. If none of this works it is my professional opinion you are screwed and need a big block or a bigger big block.