Thanks for the advice to all. Since I had no way at the moment to do a compression check; I used the part number database here and bought some tune up parts.

Relaced all plugs with NGK.
Replaced all plug wires with NGK
Replaced distributor cap and rotor with what was available at the parts store.

Plugs looked like they had been in a long time. The one by the firewall was a PITA!!!! That came out after a few shots of PowerBlaster(for the car...not me)and a rigged up extension/breaker bar. Made hellish noise most of the way out. The plug did too. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />


That one was nasty as were the next one in line.
Number 4 was the only one that looked halfway acceptable.

Rotor looked a little tarnished.
Cap looked decent.
Replaced them anyway.

So...did it run better???
Hell yeah!!!

Only problem now is it wont shut off - dieseling.
I adjusted the idle on the carb...up and down with no luck.

Next step...

I took it over to neighbor/mechanic he sprayed some solution (smelled like carb cleaner) around the intake gasket and figured that I had a leak there. It would pick up in RPM when he sprayed the solution around teh intake gaskket.
He suggested I tighten the nuts around that ...I did...with borrowed tools from him. Got maybe an 1/8th of a turn on a couple of them.

So I hopefully I tightened up a leak at the intake.

So I'm off to search for answers here and welcome any suggestions you all have.