Thanks guys... I'm happy to report, problem solved!

After double checking the base timing, I decided to go triple check the distributor. This time, per your advise, I didn't trust any markings or reference points, but lined the rotor up with the contacts under the cap and made my own marks. After I reinstalled everything, she fired right up, perfect as can be. I guess it was an incorrect distributer setting all along.

And now with the new headgasket, our RS is back in action. I did a leakdown test on it just to be absolutely sure I finally got rid of my orginal problem of inserting air into the coolent system. The leakdown test checked out with less than 20% on all cylinders and no bubbles in the radiator. Now that she's running again, I can concentrate on a few "improvements" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Thanks everyone for your troubleshooting help!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

-Rob