Psfred, thanks for the reply. In your opinion, would a vacuum leak be a likely candidate given the fact that the loss of power is so intermittent. It seems logical to me that if the vac was the problem, it would always leak and therefore the problem would always be there. But I do get a little black smoke when I kick it. When it runs good, it runs really good. But when it runs bad...you get the picture. Also concerned it could a trigger point problem. Distributor looks a little ragged and worn, and thinking I might put an aftermarket system in (been reviewing the threads on the Crane and Pertronix units). Thanks.