I wonder if I may have a bad ignition coil. It would account for the carbon fouling. The fouling was visible before the old MSD distributor crapped out, but it was very mild and didn't really affect the overall performance of the car. I was able to drive it to and around MO with no issues. Would a busted distributor damage an ignition coil?
I made it the 300 miles from IL to TN but by the time I got home, the plugs were fouled to the point where the car would barely idle. I replaced the plugs after getting the car home but they fouled even quicker and now the car will not start. I have another set of NGK plugs (previous plugs were Champion N9Y). If the car fires up with the new plugs, I'm pulling the coil and testing it.
I'm hoping that's where my problem is, because the only thing that has changed on the car is in the ignition system.