Not hitting on all cylinders

[David LeDeaux <das@runt.net>]

I'm having a small problem with a 1980 Scirocco I just purchased.  The
problem is as follows...

I start the car, it runs for about 5-10 seconds, regardless of what I do
with the gas pedal.  After about 5 or 6 times of this happening, it starts
and continues to run, but it misses badly, and idles rough.

Things I've fixed/changed/tried:

Replaced plugs and wires, coil, points, and distributor cap.  I have ruled
out the ignition as being anywhere related to the problem... there is
definantly sparkage in all cylinders.  With the car running, if I pull the
plug wires off of the #1 or #2 cylinders, there is no difference in engine
speed.  If I pull the wires off of #3 or #4 cylinders, the car dies
promptly.  Compression in all cylinders is above 120.  Timing is
approximatly correct...  I can tell when it gets worse, retarded and
advanced, but not when it gets best.

My hunch:

The car was sitting for 3 years before I came along and rescued it :).  I
have an odd sneaking suspicion that a couple of the fuel injectors are
clogged.  I'm hoping there isn't something wrong with the fuel
distributor... I want to check the spray pattern of the injectors, but I'm
a little unsure as to how the injectors come out.  I've seen a little tool
somewhere that's supposed to pull them, but is there any other way?  Also,
does anyone think I'm on the right track here?

While we're on the subject, can someone educate me as to what controls the
"timing" on the fuel distributer with the rest of the engine?  Does it just
constantly inject fuel into the head, or is there some way it's controled?
It seems very inefficient to have it constantly spraying...

Any help is appreciated...
Dave

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