That is wild yet sad at the same time. I reinstalled everything, checking connections and reluctor alignment with the pick up and firing order for the 8th time. Fired the engine and the problem is still there @#$^&...
The timing retard is very minimal, starts and idles good but begins popping stumbling around 2500.... same story. The popping increases in rhythm as I advance the timing. I checked the plug and coil wire resistance and all were around 25ohm per foot. I'm delayed to work on it for another day now but compression test and leakdown tests are next. I'd much rather have an ignition mystery then evidence of anything mechanical, but I'll know soon enough.
One last ignition possibilty I thought of is the pickup. I read that you should never hook up a battery charger without unplugging the distributor. Prior to swapping in a brand new battery and installing an alternator, I had to charge and jump the car a few times. I don't know if that causes an instant kill or weakens the pickup. So any info on how a pickup dies would be helpful, or how the test measure it.
