Engine skipping.

[scott]

Just a little advice,

I've been having this skipping problem since last summer. I've changed out the carb (I had an extra laying around) the HEI components, plugs. Tried to do a compression test (Imposable w/ shorty headers) tried to isolate the bad cylinder by pulling of the wires one by one and still could not find the issue. It was only skipping under load! WTF!

Finally, I figured the ONLY thing I haven't changed were the plug wires. I figured they were okay do to they were only a year or two old.

swapped out the wires and WHALA! problem solved!

It;s bitter sweet! Why didn't I change them first!!!

At least I didn't pull the intake off.

[Pontiac1976]

Yep you have to keep eye on the wires with headers I bet the shorty headers run hotter then long tube headers .
What I do after the first season for the wires is spray them down with Silicone lube so there wet, then wipe them down make them look nice respray them lightly let them dry.
Try to keep them clean spray them every three months get 2 yr to 4 yr with headers is not to bad( depends on miles put on). The heat is the big killer try make sure they as far away from tubes as can be or centered more spray needed near the tubes side.
Glad you found the problem.