[mb911]

sorry can;t be much help. I just went through something similar with my 98 for SUV with a 5.4 it has COP . I became an expert in engine diagnositc and also engine removal over the past six weeks. boy it was fun but now 2000 later and 40 hours of my time it runs like a champ until next time. the good news is it gets much better fuel milage then before almost double. but not to steel you thread.

This is what i would do. first do basics compression test,timing, etc. then check for vacum leaks. anything with emmsion controls lives or dies from vacum leaks. next verify your ignition theory . I guess it is possible to be a problem. my boat ate the dizzy gear but started running rough and got progressivly worse.