Misfire except at idle

[loglat]

Redid my intake manifold and valve cover gaskets a while back, and while I was in there, I put in new plug wires and a distributor cap. Of course, I made careful note of the distributor position and which wire went to which plug. Now that I have it all back together, it idles fine, but if you give it any gas, it starts to sputter. I thought it might be the plugs, since everything else was new, but after replacing all of those, there was no real change.

The only thing I can think is maybe it's the plug wires. I have to admit, the store that I got them from had wires for the right engine, but it was made for I think a 72 or 74 model when mine is a 69. The parts book didn't go back in years that far, and I figured they were just wires, and with the same size engine and everything, what could go wrong? I may replace them, but I wanted to get a second opinion before I go spending money and time in the frigid air =)

[fordman]

i am going to guess vacuum leak. around the carb plate or intake gaskets. maybe who knows. i doubt it has jack to do with the wires.

[loglat]

Good point... I also replaced the PCV valve. The new one is a loose fit, but its hard for me to imagine that it would cause enough of a leak to cause that much misfiring.

[cep62]

Did you set the timing with a light?
if not it might not be right , it's hard to eye it up to the old position.

[Heathcliff68f100]

I would have to agree, set the timing with a light, and with the vacuum advanced disconnected and plugged

[loglat]

Wasn't so much eyeballing, we marked its position so it really SHOULD be good, but if that's the most logical explanation, maybe I'll try a timing light... We're on the same page though that there's a slim chance it has anything to do with the plug wires?

[cep62]

anything to do with the plug wires?

Shouldn't be if they're new.
make sure the metal clip snaps on the plug , not just the rubber boot

[knightfire83]

It's not your plug wires unless you damaged them while installing them (not likely.) The most common damage happens when pulling the wire off the plug, then the metal connector comes off. Another type of damage would be cracked, burnt, or crushed wires.

All spark plug wires are typically made out of the same material for a stock application at a parts store. The wire diameter changes along with how the wire is constructed inside for more performance related applications. Some car manufactures have different distributor side connections for a points type cap and a electronic ignition cap.

There is no substantial differences in a 1960's vs 1970's replacement spark plug wire set for a particular engine family. If you got them for a small block, they will fit a small block regardless of the engines age, same for other engine families. If your wire set had the proper connectors and length, your all set.

With that out of the way here is some more ideas....

- Did you gap your spark plugs before installing them?
- Check your firing order
- Is the vacuum advance hooked up to the right port on the carb? It should only have vacuum when you open the throttle up.
- Check for vacuum leaks as fordman indicated
- Clean and gap your points then...
- You really need to get a timing light and time this engine correctly
- Loose intake manifold bolts ?
- Adjust your choke as needed

[Dirty Offio]

Just thought I would throw my 2 cents worth in. There is at least 1 way to screw up the firing order on the cap and get that result. (been there done that...what a pain in the a$$) It is usually 2 wires swapped...like 7 and 8 or 2 and 6. Actually I don't mind this problem as much as I despise having the distributor in 180 out!

Hope this helps.

Offio

[OldRedFord]

I would try a timing light to verify it is correct. Wont hurt to check.