I feel like Wishmaster with all his problems.

92 5.7

I've been trying to track down a massive shudder as soon as TCC kicks in. I brought it to the trans shop and they said it felt more like a miss. They said that since I have a smaller diameter converter and the transgo rebuild/shift kit that a miss would be more noticeable once TCC kicks in. I didn't believe them but figured it was worth a shot.
I'm on my third set of plugs. Chip tuning in progress.
I drove 50 miles roundtrip on a brand new set of plugs yesterday just so that I could go to the trans shop that actually bench assembled the trans.
Once I got home and let the car cool I started pulling plugs.
Plugs 1, 3, 5, and 7 looked literally brand new.
Plugs 4, 6, and 8 had slight tan coloration. But plug 2 was black and wet. Doesn't smell like anything. I guess maybe they were right in regards to a miss.
I ohmed the Ford 36# cylinders 2 and 4 and both had 14.7. Good.
I ohmed the wires between cylinders 2 and 4 and found them to be reasonable.
So I guess I can rule out fuel and ignition. I could check under the cap but i'm leaning towards the following:

IIRC while setting valve lash on this engine, major PITA, I noticed that the set screw for exhaust cylinder 2 was "locked" in a noticeably higher position than the other 15. It actually sticks out of the nut while the others lock within the nut. If the lash isn't properly set for exhaust cylinder 2 could it cause my plug to go black and wet and cause a miss?

I'd rip it apart and just re-set but with the oversized runners, tall valve covers, and my fabricated oil dipstick mounting bracket,,,,,pulling the valve cover is an hour long job. Another hour just to put it together. Not something I want to do if you guys think it may be something else.

Relevant mods are in my sig.

 

I just got a little bit more information.
Looks like i'm pulling the VC. Crap.
Compression on cylinder 4 - 190
Compression on cylinder 2 - A BIG FAT ZERO

 

Problem solved.
My exhaust valve was too tight.
I now have compression of 201 in cylinder 2.



Now I have to start tuning all over again.