Running on 5 cylinders.
 

Over the last two months I have been trying to get my rebuilt 2.2E engine tuned because it has been running rough. I just put in smaller jets and tuned the carbs, so it isn't running rich anymore. But now, when I unscrew the idle jets to see if they are plugged, #3 does not change the rpm at all, no matter how much I clean it/blow it out. Then I decided to change the spark plugs. I ran the car for about a minute then took them out. #3 was wet, and COLD with way less carbon build up than the others. The other 5 plugs were HOT and covered in black build up. Either the plug is not getting a spark, or the cylinder is not getting enough air/gas. So the car has been running on 5 cylinders.
The engine has a new distributer and spark plug wires too.

Any ideas what could be going on??

running on 5 cylinder
 

run engine and unplug #3, if it does not change RPM you most likely have no spark.
take an old spark plug, plug it into #3 cable and ground the outside of plug. See if you can see a spark. If no spark, your cable or the spark plug connector is defective.
You also might have a bad spark plug.

good luck

Thanks Fritz!
I will try that.

when running of 5 cylinders did you notice a performance issue, perhaps it is running on 5 a low rpm's and kicks in at higher rpm's? has it been sitting for an extended amount of time? perhaps gummed up from old gas. out of curiosity while running on 5 cylinders can you bring it up to redline or does the miss become more apparent at higher rpm's?

Thanks for the tips guys!
I just took the #3 plug wire off when it was running, and it didn't change the rpm at all. So I tried another spark plug in the wire while it was out, to see if it would spark, and it is getting spark. So it must be air/gas?? I turned the air/gas mixture screw back and forth about 2 turns each way and nothing happened....

running on 5 cylinder
 

Dirt, Dirt, Dirt,
Plugged Up Jet, Plugged Up Jet
Cleaning, Cleaning, Cleaning

I went thru this earlier this year. #6 was my problem. Floats ok, idle jets clear, spark ok, change plugs no difference.
In desperation, I changed the idle jet O-rings and the idle fuel mixture O-rings.
When I restarted the engine I briefly blocked #6 intake with my hand and "viola" it pulled the fuel and began to run on all six cylinders.
A little normal final tuning and I'm back in business.
The fuel is sucked into the engine at the idle port below the butterfly valve.
If there is a leak at either O-ring, it will not pull the idle fuel or at low rpm's.
If this doesn't solve your issue, pull the carb and check for blockage at the idle fuel passage.
Be sure to remove the top of the carb before blowing any air through the idle passageway.
You do not want to damage the float with too much air.

I had a tight exhaust valve that kept the cylinder from firing.
Double check valve lash in that one.


KT

a possibility: Cyl #3 has very low compression, hence no ignition eventhough it has a spark. Check out compression on cyl #3.

Thanks for the help guys!!
God I hope it isn't bad compression, It was just rebuilt, but I will check.... How would I go about cleaning the fuel system for #3, and is it hard to remove the carbs if I have too? I am a rookie at this. Are the O rings for the jets in the hole? I have Solex's. When the car is running, I can bring it up to redline smoothly...ish, but it doesn't have the power it should. I have also had to turn up the idle screws so it won't die on me. I will attack this thing again tomorrow, so I will post my progress as I go.

Thanks again.
Brent

I just took the air filter cover off and took a look in the carbs while I fanned the throttle a few times. #3 isn't getting nearly as much fuel as the other 5. It gets a few drops while the others are getting a full squirt. Then I started the engine and covered each intake with my palm. When I covered #3, nothing happened to the idle. So I assume it has a clog in the fuel lines somewhere. How would I go about un clogging it??