Ok. More information.
On the original board, someone at some point unknown had soldered a jumper across the cap and resistor on the mpu next to the z26 chip disabling the slam switch and all the problems it can cause so I don't think the slam switch is the problem. I did not know about this fix until I found it on PinWiki but it is why the slam switch does not work with the original board.
In comparing the display problem with both the original board and the Rottendog board, I have noticed a difference in the appearance of the displays when the original cpu is in the game and when the Rottendog board is in the game. When the original board is in, the displays show a slower pulsing brightness. Brighter-dimmer-brighter-dimmer. Looking carefully, the filaments in all of the displays seemed to be fluxing brighter and dimmer. The outermost digits in each of the displays seem to have this problem more prominently than the inner digits.
When I have the Rottendog board in the pulsing is quicker and more pronounced on the verge of a constant regular flicker. Again, the outer digits are more pronounced.
I will try to contact the guys at Rottendog tomorrow to see if they have any thoughts on why there is a difference. The problem with the displays is less apparent with the original than with the new board.
Any suggestions are appreciated.