Drain to be sure, but you will know when you do. I could see metal with just a bad cam bearing, a rod bearing rips up the connecting rod.

I just really, really am hoping against hope that this misfire is coming from the ugly coil pack...

Yes, a bad rod/broken piston would have a rhythmic "beat" to it, as it would hit on every stroke of that piston. At least thats what mine sounded like. It was NOT random at all, just a nice loud tap tap tap in time as it beat the cyl wall to death.

I think you should just replace all the plugs and wires, then the offending coil pack and you should be good to go. Also may want to change the oil regardless. Can't hurt!

If you want to see if its the coil pack or not you could always just swap it to another set of cylinders and see if the miss follows it or not, but having the rusty post I'd just replace it and move on. Good luck!

Hooked up new coil pack.
Getting lots of smoke (condensation from sitting?) from exhaust. Engine still running rough.
Still no rhythmic hit like a piston or rod would make.

Will try to get video up soon.
But..
suggestions?
Intake leak? Other vaccuum leak possibly?

hmmm sorry i havent read thru all of this but im thinking bad valve seats..out of time/piston slap..(woul be rythmic tho) bad lifter

it not being rhythmic or constant is why i lean away from a rod or something similar.
but WHY is it running rough?! :/
im trying like hell to get a video for you guys...it sounds REALLY bad. :/
not a hitting of anything.
but more like instead of a smooth purr of an engine, a VROO--VROO--VROO--VROOOM sound. lol ill try to get video.

Some condensation smoke would be normal if it'* cold outside, but if its heavy could be coolant. Have you checked to see if you're coolant is still full? Sounds like a UIM or LIM issue (eating coolant). I wouldn't rule out a big vac leak either. Before I replaced my UIM I had a big leak and it caused it to run like this.

Also, have you pulled ALL the plugs yet and see what they look like? You may find that one of them shows signs of burning coolant.

Coolant reservoir is just below the cold line, coolant in radiator is fine.

Since I was working on car after ER trip yesterday, i didnt do much in the way of work. The plug I pulled was dark, smelled of oil, but not smashed or outrageously gapped. Will pull the rest soon.

Be sure to mark each plug so you know where they came from. Post pictures of the plugs. You can learn a lot from inspecting the plugs.