It's been a while since I've driven it much. I do recall thinking it was losing coolant, but I can't really quantify it. The plugs and wires were replaced when I did the Duraspark II swap a few years back and I've put very few miles on it before it started really acting up. I hooked up a vacuum gauge to the car this evening and it does bounce around a bit. I checked each cylinder by grounding out the plug wire and on #7, there was no noticeable change when it was grounded out. I installed a spark check light and it does have spark. When I pulled the plug, it was dark tan and wet with fuel. I didn't have a spare plug on hand to swap out and I don't have a compression gauge, so I'll be picking those up tomorrow. We'll see what happens then.
Buy a used 5.0 ho short block 87-92 ($300 tops). Keep your rpm intake, replace the timing chain and oil pump. These engines take good abuse with factory forged pistons. Sell off the remaining parts you don't use. You'll need to replace the flex plate with a 50 oz one to work with your c4 and pickup a good used small carb. People always seem to want to dump the smaller 600 cfm carbs to something that's too big. Install and enjoy, don't worry about hp #s.
Since it's #7, plug off the PCV and see how it runs... I had same issue on my orig engine with #7, ran lean due to air flow through PCV valve... I more or less fixed it by replacing PCV valve(dunno if it was correct), with one specked for a 6cyl that has less flow... Still the orig setup is a POS, vacuum source should be balanced between both sides of intake, preferably from spacer under carb...
Well, as it turns out, there was a split vacuum hose. The hose went from the vacuum junction on the rear of the intake, to the transmission. I've replaced the hose and it appears as though a lot of the issues, including long crappy shifts, have cleared up. I went ahead and replaced the PCV valve anyway. I appreciate all the insight from everyone. It looks like I can enjoy the car a bit while I figure out what to do with the rest of this stuff.
If you do use 1.7 rockers,make sure to ck the rocker geometry or else the valve guides will quickly wear out,then you will be burning oil.
Good luck finding one today. Last one left the factory 21 years ago. You're just as well off with an Explorer/Mountaineer long block, or one from a 95-97 pickup or van.
