greylandimports

I am in desperate need of helps and suggestions! I have a 1971 240Z that I cant get to run correctly. I will try to be as detailed as possible in explaining my dilemma. I would like to preempt your responses with sincere gratitude as I have about given up in my attempts to solve this problem. I go to college in WV and don't have the money to cover the mechanic bill to fix my poor z car. Specs: 1971 240z, rebuilt straight six, one wire alternator Tools at my disposal: Every hand tool imaginable, a timing light, a carb sync tool First, I bought my z with four working cylinders so I, along with the mechanic that worked there, rebuilt the straight six. After we were finished, the engine ran very rough, so I drove it over to my favorite mechanic who tuned carbs with only a screwdriver in about two minuets flat. I drove the z pretty often for a couple years after that *before heading off to college. After totaling my other car, I decided to drive my z to college. I drove it an hour and a half there and back several times until it broke down on me. I then towed it back home. It took me a couple months to figure out the problem. In these couple months, me and my father had turned and returned every screw on the carbs so much that by the time I figured out that the problem was that the stupid bolt underneath the distributor had turned a half an inch, it was way too late. Now, I could only get my z to run for a very few rough seconds before it died. I then abandoned the z again after failed attempts to retune the carbs and headed back to college. Now, onto my senior year, I decided to tow the z back to college and try to fix it in-between studies. I missed it I bought a Datsun repair manual and did my research. Through fine Datsun form sights such as this one, I was starting to make progress. I first bought a carb sync tool. I synced my carbs and played with balance screws and adjusted nuts through the directions of my manual. I also experimented with the distributor. First, I took it apart in order to better understand the part and ended up cracking the coil inside it. After a brand new distributor from auto zone I was back in business. I looked up how to get the timing from the manual and the internet. I found top dead center and set up the timing as best as i could.* I*made great progress and actually got it sounding half decent for the first time in years. After attempts of fine tuning I actually ended up making it very much worse.*Then, realizing adjusting the carbs wouldn't make any difference unless the car was timed correctly, I bought a timing light. This is where I am currently stuck. As I look at the timing light, I am about four or five inches away from the mark! How is this possible?! As I turn the distributor closer to the mark, the car dies. Clearly something I did was wrong. If I can't get the car close any timing marks, how can I even begin to tune this motor? I am at a complete loss and need help!* I don't know very much about motors, as I am just a body man. I learned some when I helped to rebuild the motor and from the internet and manuals but that's it. I have always been a do it yourselfer and refuse to bring it into a shop. Thank you all very much for your help. It is very much appreciated!