Distributor

[124JOE]

after starting can you get out and grab the throttle without it dieing?
if its rocking look at the motor mounts and see witch one is bad it will move more than the other side

[Chihua33]

I did check the mounts and they both seem like they are good.

Sometimes I have enough time to jump out and grab the cable to keep it running. Maybe I can get someone over to help me tonight, I think that would be the easier thing to do ha

[So Cal Mark]

why not just raise the idle speed with the engine off?

[maytag]

why not just raise the idle speed with the engine off?

It sounds like he's uncertain how that is accomplished.
And I don't see that we've determined yet if this is a carb'd car? or FI? Chihuahua, we'll need to know that to help you.

[Chihua33]

Opps sorry about that.

It's an FI

[Chihua33]

What should rpms read on a good idle?
Also I'm wondering if my exhaust is somewhat clogged. When it idles how it is (very rough) the whole exhaust shakes?
When it first fired a rats nest blew out of the exhaust. If its still somewhat clogged that could be causing problems too? Correct?

[124JOE]

well i have to ask is there a nest in the intake ,air filter?
a good idle should be at 900
but find your screw that turns it up and turn it to 1200 so you can tune and find what may need fixing
then slowly back down to see how she runs

[Chihua33]

Just put a new filter in tonight. No nests but what I think I did find is that it's really only firing on 1 and 2. When 3 or 4 were unplugged it still ran about the same. So would that mean new wires? Or wires And possibly cap?

[124JOE]

i would throw everything at it cap rotor wires and plugs

[rlux4]

Do you have a multimeter? You should have infinite continuity through the wires. If you can slide the rubber boot up you could look to see if the conductor is in good shape at the ends and making contact with the terminals. Bend the suspect wires in a circular motion along their length and see if you feel any soft spots which would indicate a broken conductor.
Ron

[Chihua33]

The ends looked good to me. I will try and bend the wires like you suggest. I don't have a meter but I'm sure I could borrow one from someone. Thanks for the help guys, I feel so close yet so far away hah

[So Cal Mark]

I'm betting on a bad head gasket if you have the firing order correct

[maytag]

do what ya gotta do to make sure you've got spark to plugs 3 & 4. if that means replacing stuff, do so. But get spark there. IF you allready DO have spark to the plugs, then pull the plugs for 3 & 4 and take a look at 'em. See if they look like the electrodes are damaged in any way. Or do they have oil on them? take a pic of them and post it for us. Mark might be on to something with the head-gasket theory.

[So Cal Mark]

2 dead cylinders side by side is most likely crossed wires or a blown gasket

[Chihua33]

Crap, I was hoping that you wouldn't say bad gaskets.

How hard is it to change that? The most engine work I've ever done is oil changes and now new plugs on this car.
What tools would I need?

Tonight I'll try and pull 3 & 4 to see what they look like, I know 4 was a pain in the ass to get to, so I'm wondering if I got it tightened down all the way.

I'll take pics tonight.