Hello All,

Everything was too weird today, I don't even know where to start--those damn witches! :D

Problem 1: the car would either start at the first try, or I could go for a stroll, because it wouldn't start in the next 20 minutes. I suspect the Pertronix module is going south so, since I don't have a helper to crank the engine while I check for spark, I hooked up the timing light, and verified that while I was cranking the motor the light would just flash a couple of times and that's all. Is this a reasonable way to diagnose the problem? Does that mean the module is bad?

I'm thinking of reinstalling the points tomorrow, but here's a problem: My starter does not have the "R" terminal, which bypasses the resistor wire and sends 12V to the coil during startup. If running points, would that cause a slow start, or no start? (I bought a relay to do the job of the "R" terminal, but haven't installed it yet.)

Problem 2. I checked the timing at idle, and then revved the engine, and the advance stays the same. OK, maybe it advanced 1 or 2 degrees, but no more than that. I checked, and the weights were moving freely, and the rotor was not keeping them from moving. Problem seems to be that the weights are completely incompatible with the shaft--they allow the cam to advance even when they are totally retracted. This isn't right, is it? Any suggestions on this one? I guess tomorrow I'll try to buy a set of aftermarket weights, and see if it gets any better.

Thanks in advance!

-Pedro




[Modified by Pedro'74, 11:46 PM 10/31/2001]