start off with spraying and wiping the inside of the distributor with wd-40, if that don't cure it start pullin off plug wires from the distributor cap one at a time and replacin em till ya find the dead cylinder (this can be a shocking experience) (but it's good for the soul) when ya locate the dead cylinder.....check the plug,replace the plug whatever works..........then pull the valve cover if that didn't fix it....see how far the pushrod went thru the rocker.....if that didn't happen then spin the motor over with coil wire disconnected at the coil.....if it resembles my ex wifes chest then you have camatosis(absense of cam lobe) thats not good......if you have camatosis then all that metal from the cam lobe and the bottom of the lifter is inside the engine......i'd recomend going thru that puppie