Thanks for the help......I did find the problem. It was "slop" in the throttle servo linkage. The slop was allowing the plunger in the muffler to move.....thus the irregular engine rpm that sounded like a skip or miss. A piece of fuel tubing tightened the slop. I forgot to mention that I strapped a pair of needle nose pliers to the landing gear (just goofing around). They weigh 5 oz. The heli lifted them with the 4 degree grips....I mean it flew! You could sure tell they were there but it flew high and far (not just a simple lift). I think that is pretty good. With the 6 degree grips I bet it would lift a lot more.
Mark