aggravation

On a 1988 model how can I check each cylinder to make sure I'm not having failure to fire? I think if it's happening it's most likely intermittently.
Can you describe the symptoms I would be having if it was happening.

WallyP

If it ain't broke, you can't fix it.

Finding an intermittent problem is really difficult. If the ignition is misfiring while you are checking it, the easiest way would be to use an inductive-pickup timing light to check for firing voltage.

The only other real suggestion that I have is to use a good light to closely examine the ignition coil wires and their connections. Clean the connections and the coil surfaces. Very carefully route the coil wires so that they are not touching either metal or any wire harness.

aggravation

Thanks Wally, I'll go check that now. How about the plug wires? I know originally they are separated and strapped up off of the cam covers and such and now on mine, due to the Supercharger plumbing and blower bracket, some of them are touching each other in places and touching metal in places....

IcemanG17

x2 to what wally said

Another idea is how old are your plug wires, cap-rotor & coils? If any of them are "unknown" or original..then its worth considering a replacement as a maintainence issue..

also an easy (er) way to check the plug wires other than visually for dried rubber and cracks is to check their internal resitance with a ohm meter..it should be low....and if one or two are significantly higher than the others...theres your answer

RicerSchnitzzle

If you suspect it's the same cylinder missing each time, even if intermittent, pull the plugs. Plugs will tell all.

aggravation

Thanks, so far anytime I've checked the plugs they all appear to be the same.
what are the "ignition stage" things up front near the headlight bar where the hood latch is? Could they cause a failure to fire?

Z

With one of the Innovate wideband O2 sensors, it will show up a very sharp full lean spike in a Logworks data log chart.

The EZK sends it's signals to the ignition modules, and the modules supply and interrupt the current to the coils, causing them to fire at the appropriate times. Each ignition module controls one coil, so each one is responsible for four cylinders.