it wasn't so bad

[Livolsi, Stephane]

Thanks to all for suggestions on things to check.
Last night we get the 86 5ktq into the Haphazzard Cutting and Welding Werks
garage and get to work finding out what is causing the missing and
stumbling.

Off with the michelin man hose and checks out good.  Visual inspection good,
and when compressed between hands it holds vacuum.
Off with the grill and timing belt cover, line up the marks and timing is
ok.  (Frankly, I still don't believe that a timing belt can slip one or two
notches.  I know, I know, some have BTDT, but I just can't see it.  I guess
it's one of those things that you have to see to believe?)

Visual inspection of dist cap is OK, not good, but ok.  cleaned up the
contacts with fine sandpaper.

Check some electrical connections, start up to test and still runs poorly.
Sprayed some flammable gas over manifold and lines (used ether until we
started getting high, then switched to propane) and no change in rpm

Visual inspection of intercooler - end caps ok, no visible damage/holes, and
couldn't hear any air leaking out while running.

Pulled the spark plugs and did a compression test - all cylinders came out
at right around 90.  We suspect the gauge is reading pessimistic because
this seems awfully low and too consistent.  Engine makes good power,
usually.

Getting very frustrated.

When we had it running, it seemed we could hear an electrical smack, like a
plug wire arcing, but turned off all the lights and didn't see any spark.
We were both certain that it was electrical and not a mechanical tick.

So, we decide to try yanking plug wires with the engine running, but we were
both too chicken to do it, so we compromise and pull the plugs one by one
and then start.  AHA!  With #1 plug wire off, the engine sounds the same as
with it on!  Same with the other wires.

With the plug wires (one at a time) sitting on the oil filler cap, they
would arc through the boot, to the metal sleeve on the boot and to the valve
cover.  This seems wrong.
We moved the metal boots up further on the plug wire and she runs fine
again.  The wires were not originally suspect because they are only about 2
years old, but they are not OE.  Lesson learned.

Getting some new OEM plug wires today.

Thanks again to all who offered tips.

Stephane