Black soot on plug 4, oil on 1 and 2, 3 looks fine

[aldad138]

NGK plugs, look old but not decrepit.  Only one of the 4 looks good.  I cleaned them, cleaned the area, and reinstalled.  The idle is smoother, the sputter in 1st and 2nd is better, but still obvious.

I have only put about 20 miles on this rig, so "damage" was done before I took her.  What should my first step be?

Alex

[Neil-yaj396]

Failing head gasket?

[WestonE]

Do a compression test engine hot throttle wide open coil disconnected. You want to see strong figures and even figures across the cylinders

Eric

I would buy new plugs

[peteracs]

I would buy new plugs

I am with Eric, no sense in keeping the old plugs.

Peter

[mwredit]

Alex,

I agree with running a compression test, along with changing the plugs.  I'd check the cap and rotor for carbon tracking and check the points to see if they're not burnt.

[aldad138]

I am buying new plugs today, and will run a compression test with my buddy this week.  It is running a pointless distributor, so that is not a problem.  There is sufficient oil around the head that I may need to change the valve cover and head gaskets soon.

Alex

[HFStuart]

I don't think I'd rule anything out at this stage. You may suspect the dizzy is ok but you don't know that until you've eliminated it. Compression test definitely the place to start though.