Oops! Points ignition! Never mind my 2nd and 3rd items!

* weak points spring?

BTW, the breaker plates are quite bad about freezing up on the 280s. I suspect the 240s are the same way. I've read that most of the ones in service won't advance. I know mine wouldn't. I replaced it with a rebuilt OEM unit -- lifetime warranted by AutoZone for $100, FAIW.

Edited December 3, 201014 yr by FastWoman

i took a cc brush and cleaned the distributor and i found the timing all the way retarded which im pretty sure it aint supposed to be like that, i dont where how much to advance it but i have it half way and it doesnt sputter anymore and goes pretty close to 7 grand

That's not how an engine is properly timed. You really need to get a timing light and set it correctly.

The good news is that you discovered the root of the problem, now you need to resolve the problem.

yup gonna go to my sgts house sometime soon hes a very good mechanic and gots all the tools ever needed.

Well, it seems you're on the right track:)

Glad to hear it is something "simple".

just curious about the aftermarket ignition systems are they that much of a benefit in the L24s??

I don't think you'll see any sort of performance benefits to electronic ignition, but it's a more stable and trouble/maintenance-free sort of system.

i think im gonna get a new system soon or rebuild it. i was in the process of fine tuning it and blew the head gasket. how much advance do you guys usually have it for stock engine? hopefully the parts get in before this weekend

how much advance do you guys usually have it for stock engine?

The FSM states 5BTDC. For a stock motor I don't think you'd see much benefit from advancing that figure. I also don't think you would break anything if you had it advanced to 10BTDC.

How far did you have the timing advanced that you blew a head gasket? That had to be some serious detonation to blow the head gasket.

Adjust your timing for drivability, not horsepower. There isn't any magic horsepower hiding in the distributor.

Not only that, too much advance and pre-ignition, (pinging), can ruin your engine! Stick to around 5 degrees BTDC.

i have it just around 5 BTDC the engine revved up nice and smooth. when i drove it around the few times revved it high a couple times but not constantly up past 6000 for more then a couple of seconds. when it did blow or crack it was late at night getting pizza with a buddy it was running fine but the water temp kept rising, i was about a minute away when the gauge was maxed out stopped there for a while to cool off the motor and wen i started it back up there was a whole bunch of white smoke. im thinkin that my thermostat got stuck cuz it did that to me once a while ago but i pulled over and started it back up about 30mins later and it was all fine. i got a whole bunch of gaskets n a new thermstat comming in so i can go to the hobby shop this weekend.