Could it be bad plug wires?

[terriphill]

or a bad distributor...

Car is running rough, but running. We pull the first plug, dies off. The second ...same. Third and fourth..doesn't matter if they are on or off..runs like butt either way. Could this be why its running so rough?

 

[14dna]

Terri;
See your other thread (smoke problem).
I think these two issues may be related.
Dave

 

[MGZT260]

I agree, rich running could be from non-firing cylinders. Pull all plugs and ground them to block and crank over looking for spark. If no spark switch plug position or swap for new.

Same issue - are plug wires on proper cylinders? You can have spark and fuel but if not at same time as dtc timing you can get problems.

An inductive (held beside wires) spark tester is a good inexpensive tool to have on hand. Alternately use a timing light with a clamp arounf connector.

Generally a bad distributor will not work at all, not just two cylinders so may bne able to rule that out. Same with 180 degree reversed distributor installation as I recall doing that once and had spark but improper timing of spark so would not start.

 

[bgbassplyr]

Check for crack in the cap. Sometimes had to see but will allow spark to go to ground because electricity, like water, will seek the path of least resistance. Lots of causes for cracks, but one is that rotor is hitting cap post. Crack may be hard to find-clean well and use magnifying glass thingie.

Also be sure that wire is attached to post in the cap.