Thanks for the info you guys. 68glad - We'll have to meetup sometime since you are so close.
So, got pretty much all my stuff ordered and/or here already. Started tearing into things. Man what a mess!
Started with figuring out which wires go where and then doing the disconnections. Pulled the spark plugs and the only issue I found was the rear two plugs were really rich with gas, all the rest were tan and fairly good shape.
Then I started in on replacing the plugs - this time making sure they had some anti-seize, and since this upgrade is supposed to produce bigger, better spark, I gapped them all at .42.
I also noticed when I set my engine to TDC (verified from timing mark and from #1 piston), that my distributor rotor was pointing nowhere near the #1 cylinder plug. It got me wondering what other problems I may be finding...
Got the old ignition stuff off and cleaned the fenderwell off a little:
I then started on cleaning up the engine bay of vacuum hoses that I don't need anymore. Half of them weren't even hooked to anything!
I then took off the valve covers. I don't think the things had been off in 20 years! There is some major nasty sludge buildup all over these heads. I can tell someone removed them at one time from the RTV around the edges, but it is a total mess inside. I think I need a high pressure shop vac to clean it out - but then, I might end up having more oil leaks...
Covers off:
I was also having a tap on the passenger side for quite while, so I thought I would investigate that. Looks like a couple of my rocker arms are really loose. I don't know if my two push rods are shot or what since this is the first time I have dove this far into this engine. When I push down onto the back of the rocker (pushing on the rod side) it feels "squishy" for lack of a better word. It has at least 1/4" play in it. The other one has less play, but it feels more solid when I push on it.
Does anyone have advice about this?
Me checking the play in the rocker arm:
All in all, this is becoming a bigger project than just upgrading the ignition, but then, I hate to leave so many problems left unattended.
Of course it is becoming more expensive too, I thought I would clean the valve covers and paint them, but I broke down and bought some cheapos. I also thought I might as well replace the distributor while I have all these clean and new parts to my ignition system.
Oh well, at least all this will transfer to my other engine when this one is completely shot!
Any advice or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!