1984 720 carb issues, lurches like paint shaker!! Help?

[bossodds]

I have removed all the emmisions crap. There is just a Dist. vacuum attached. Replaced all tune-up items, filters, fuel additives done, timing good, cylinder PSI is 145-155 on all, didn't do a complete rebuild but replaced base gasket (was leaking) and accelerator pump.I need help! This is a $400.00 wood-hauler, too far gone to paint and polish. Still, I love this truck.

[seang]

Are both sides of the plugs firing (Intake side/Exhaust side)?

[bossodds]

I put in new plugs/wires/cap/rotor when this started happening!! I'd forgotten that!How can I check the coils for fire?

[seang]

I'm not sure how to test a coil because I've never had to do it. I'm sure someone on here does, or you can just Google it if nobody says anything. I imagine that ignition coils are all pretty much the same essential design, so a test procedure can't be too far away. I know that the coils also have to have a good ground as well as being "good coils."

Are all the spark plug wires in order?

[rizzobc]

This is an old school hot rod trick to find out which is not firing. Get some spark plug pliers...start pulling plug wires one at a time...if you pull one and the engine does not have any change...that plug is not firing...if you get a change then that plug is firing...it may take two people to do this...start with the intake side first...then do the exhaust side...see if this may help out some

[bossodds]

Both coils are firing like gang-busters. All wires are in order (it's easy. NGK are printed with correct exhaust/intake labels). I switched my coils (I think) and now my idle won't relax. I set it normal and it dies; I set it high to keep from dying and it revs WAY too high. Then out of nowhere, it will idle down and die. Egads!

[seang]

Is there a vacuum leak?

Is there any chance that the timing chain could have jumped? That sounds kind of far out if you ask me, but hey. If you had to, you could check by removing the valve cover and bringing the number 1 piston to TDC on the compression stroke, and at that moment both lobes should be away from the rockers.

Do you have a compression gauge? If so, run a test. If not, do the other stuff.