I have a 1981 trailer special. 302 and 2bbl. The engine has 50k original miles. The timing is too advanced. The distributer does not have a vacuum hose and is equipt with a "cannot set timing- distrbuter will not turn, see service manual" sticker. What is up with that? My email hilowi00@earthlink.net.


Thanks Bill.

 

Wow, that's a strange one. I'm not sure that I've run across that problem in your vintage. There should be a hold down screw at the bottom of your distributor that you could loosen and turn to set your timing. If it does not have a vacuum pot on the front, then the advance is set by the weights and springs. You may want to consider pulling your distributor and dropping the stock Motorcraft distributor with vacuum pot in for around $50 from Advanced Auto, or better yet, get MSDs new drop in distributor for $250 and I believe the MSD even replaces the ignition control box. It's awesome looking, but then for that price it should be.

Slik