I'm looking at cam lobe, didn't mention anything about cam breakin.

I agree with Dyno. After all ther jerking around and handling with the distributor, make sure the cap and rotor is is good condition. Check and make sure your plug wires are not arcing out on the Lightings. In other words, do the easy stuff first before you panic.

I agree with Dyno. After all ther jerking around and handling with the distributor, make sure the cap and rotor is is good condition. Check and make sure your plug wires are not arcing out on the Lightings. In other words, do the easy stuff first before you panic.

Many many moons ago I rebuilt a little in-line 4 popper. Couldn't get the bastard to run right to save my ass. Finally got pissed and had a tow truck come and get it to take it to a real mechanic to fix it. An hour later they called and said she was purring like a kittem. WTF!! Yep, greasy hand print on the rotor caused all my trouble.

BT

Ben there done that!!

Thanks for the input guys. To answer a couple of quick questions;

Initial timing set at 8-12, it didn't matter, would crack throughout.
The cam was broke in properly, 20+ min at 2500-3000, overfilled oil, cam grease and assembly lube.

I'm also thinking it's something stupid, I suspect something is up with the cap and rotor by now. I haven't had a chance to wrench, but am curious to verify firing order and make sure no arching. On the lake I had several gear heads helping (looked like a damn poker game around my motor), but some of these guys were a *little buzzed*. I didn't have any manuals with me so I had to rely upon their beer goggle advice.

I'll also check the oil filter to see if metal is in it from a wasted cam lobe.

Thanks guys. I'll post an update, no matter how stupid the problem was.

1. I would check to make sure that 5 and 7 are not
crossed or any other plugs for that matter, 18436572.
2. Verify that all the exhaust ro,ckers are moving
equally, by taking plugs out and rolling motor over
with the
starter.
3. Make sure you don't have an exhaust rocker too
tight, that would cause the popping.

As ragtop mentioned, did you ground the purple wire?

I think it would be a intake rocker.If it were too tight not allowing the in. valve to close would cause popping through intake.BOB

Could an intake rocker be a problem that showed up after the motor had already ran fine for at least a few passes?

My guess is it could?

I'll add this to my list of things to check before the sledge comes out!