Dead Cylinder

[Gun Doc]

Rick,

I am sure I tried adjusting the mixture screw back when this all started. Turned it all the way in and slowly brought it out to over two complete turns without much, if any change.

One thing I forgot to mention: Today when I put the timing light on the idle momentarily increased by a couple hundred RPM. I first had the light on the bad cylinder, but was not getting a strobe, but did have RPM readout, so I switched to #1 cylinder and got the same thing. Then I figured out how to operate the light (it is a new one!!) and started getting the strobe. So I switched the light back to the bad cylinder. The RPMs increased at both cylinders, but just for a few seconds…

Never seen that happen before. Anyone else heard of it?

Gun Doc

[FWB]

look at the center contact of your msd cap carefully, is the button still there?

if so, then check your voltage to the msd box, they are voltage hogs and if they are not getting enough power they do strange things, i would see what kind of output your alternator is giving you and is the battery up to snuff, where are you getting power from going to the msd.
by connecting the timing light to the bad cly, you introduced a temporary field giving the idle up condition.
the problem seems to be ignition, or power to the ignition.....

[CobraEd]

Is it possible that the intake lobe on your cam is wiped. If so, everything would appear good, but nothing to ignite. ????

I have seen this on one of my Cadillacs years ago. Start the engine with the valve cover off and see if the rockers are moving for that cylinder.


.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by FWB

look at the center contact of your msd cap carefully, is the button still there?

MSDs will deteriorate that carbon button quickly. Mine started missing on one cylinder going down the road and this is exactly what it was.