Rowdy and Mean 318 build

MOPEkidD-3 said

LOL pretty sure these problems couldn't be solved with formal education, that thing just ran odd I never could figure it out. I did check the cranking compression, IIRC averaged out to 170 psi at 5000' above sea level. SHOULD have been OK but it definitely wasn't, even with that conservative timing and 91-octane premium.

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This is what's missing in the equation. This isn't a sea level or low altitude car.
170 psi is a bit of compression for 5000 feet. ok let me rephrase that. 170 psi at sea level would be around 130-140 at 5000 feet. the 170 psi, was it in the 360?
Did you run vac. advance can on your motor that killed a piston?
Also? you were running a 360 and now you're building a 318? Why?