I pulled the #2 spark plug, attached the wire, and grounded it to the block. There was a good spark across the gap. I'm almost thinking it's fuel related although I don't understand why the arcing and shocks from the #2 plug wire only. That's what's throwing me off.

As far as the compression check I may have had the banks description off. I tested the compression on cylinders 1 through 4 with a consistent reading of 150 lbs on every one of them. I also pulled the valve cover on those same cylinders and the rockers and valuse appeared to be working for all cylinders.

 

As a follow up to my previous posts I did a vacuum test last night. The reading was a flickering needle around 15 lbs. The flickering was only 1 lb in either direction. I assume that was a result of the misfiring on cylinder #2. I'm going to start doing a series of multimeter tests on all ignition components over the next several days.

As a side thought, if the distributor gear was off a tooth would that result in a problem in one cylinder only?

 

Now, that is only an issue with the EFI 5.0 AFAIK. I cannot see how it is an issue with a Pertronix ignition. Even then, I have not heard it affect a single cylinder.

 

I know this is and old thread and I'm a newb on this site, but I have the EXACT same problem as the OP. If possible, could someone tell me what the finding was that solved the problem? I also have a 289 with cylinder #2 not firing and a Pertronix Flamethrower II ignition. I've also been through all of the tests that the OP mentioned plus a couple others.

Thanks

 

His last report was that he pulled the #2 plug out of the engine, connected it to the wire, grounded the plug to the engine, and witnessed an arc across the gap. Sounds to me that he never had a misfire problem at all.

Remove the plugs and inspect them. Color and condition will tell you if you have a misfire.

Vacuum leaks are the biggest culprit in my experience.

 

I know I have a cylinder down. Header tube is under 200° on the #2 cylinder and the plug is damp. It's just not firing, or if it is, it's very intermittent.

I've been leaning towards an intake gasket but was trying to exhaust all possibilities before taking the intake off. I'm probably going to re-index my distributor this afternoon to see if it follows the distributor or stays on #2. I've already tested and ruled out the plug and wire.

 

Well I found my problem..hopefully anyone else with a similar problem can benefit from it.





Oh hell, why not both sides?



That was how it sat when I pulled the intake..no wonder we had issues...

In my 30+ years of building motors, I've NEVER had an intake manifold gasket slip before..and I've installed more than I can remember..

 

Glad you found the problem. Do you install studs before installing the intake to guide it down?

 

Studs wouldn't have helped, as you see each of the boltholes are still lined up. Just have to be careful when lowering the intake.

 

as bad as that looks one would have to wonder if it had a blower on it at one time or had a nos explosion ... stevie wonder could do a better job putting a gasket on ....