Severe Miss When Cold
Short answer: A miss that’s worst when cold and clears as the engine warms is most often plug wires breaking down (they need more voltage when cold) — replace them with a good set of Delco wires.
Also check for vacuum leaks, a fresh fuel filter, and the choke (too little choke action runs lean and pops when cold). Note: needing 14° initial timing for power (and having none at 9°) suggests the distributor advance curve may also want attention.
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Content last modified: June 13, 2026 at 10:06 am
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