[Kraig]

My son is really having trouble with his '86 SVO.  Car only has 69K on it.

The PE processor seems to be really retarding the timing, we changed to a "rebuilt distributor" as he had a code 18. That code has gone away,
but the distributor has to be advanced so far to get it to run (poorly) that you can't see the timing marks with a timing light. It is not throwing any
key on engine off codes. I checked the distributor at 180 out to be sure we weren't. It has a new distributor, TFI, coil, plugs, wires etc.

Any suggestions? I have XR4Ti processor and distributor we can swap in. Is the Merkur processor ok to try? 

Any help is appreciated!! I would like for him to get to some cars and coffee etc.!!

[TurboRay]

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Your/his ignition timing isn't retarded......you're simply having to run it way advanced to try and compensate for retarded cam timing. The timing belt is probably retarded one tooth, maybe two ~ possibly due to a worn/partially-stripped t/belt or a round-tooth belt on square-toothed sprockets? <shrug>

Hopefully, you put all those new ignition parts in as a routine preventative-maintenance tune-up, and NOT to cure this prob.  BTW ~ the "PE" has what is probably the most aggressive timing map of all the turbo EECs. <thumbup>

[Chuck W]

Reset the timing to TDC and try everything again. If you can't see timing marks with the light, you have something WAY out of whack.

You're setting the base timing with the SPOUT disconnected, correct?

[Kraig]

Reset the timing to TDC and try everything again. If you can't see timing marks with the light, you have something WAY out of whack.

You're setting the base timing with the SPOUT disconnected, correct?

---

We ended up getting the timing issue straightened out using 36 year old Merkur stuff I had in the garage as the new parts must be no good. Got timing to 10 degrees BTDC with spout disconnected… but something still wasn’t right…compression test indicates head gasket has blown between one and two as there is no oil in water and vice versa and those cylinders both have 32 pounds of compression…

[TurboRay]

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Easy fix!  I suggest using a cheap FelPro 8993 h/gask AND their 6-point TTA (torque to angle) h/bolts.  <thumbup>

[Kraig]

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Easy fix!  I suggest using a cheap FelPro 8993 h/gask AND their 6-point TTA (torque to angle) h/bolts.  <thumbup>

 I will visit my son again next weekend and we will disassemble it...bummer he is 3.5 hours away and we get to work in an apartment parking lot....

[TurboRay]

I will visit my son again next weekend and we will disassemble it...bummer he is 3.5 hours away and we get to work in an apartment parking lot....

Hmmmm..............So, you're gonna drive (or tow, or "trailer") a 2-1/2 cyl car for 3.5 hours so you can work in a parking lot??  It's none of my biz, BUT ~ I think a better plan would be for him to drive to YOUR place, where the car is located.  My 2¢.........  <shrug>

[Kraig]

I will visit my son again next weekend and we will disassemble it...bummer he is 3.5 hours away and we get to work in an apartment parking lot....

Hmmmm..............So, you're gonna drive (or tow, or "trailer") a 2-1/2 cyl car for 3.5 hours so you can work in a parking lot??  It's none of my biz, BUT ~ I think a better plan would be for him to drive to YOUR place, where the car is located.  My 2¢.........  <shrug>

He and the car are 3.5 hours away at the apartment he lives in …..

[TurboRay]

He and the car are 3.5 hours away at the apartment he lives in …..

Aaaahhh.........I SEE, said the blind old man!! I thought it was YOUR car &/or in your possession.  <slaphead>

Be sure to carefully check the block under the "gasket void" to make sure hot combustion gasses haven't caused a "trough" or crack. ALSO, check all the combustion chambers in the head for cracks (especially around the seats), AND for "sunk" exhaust valves.  <shrug>

[Kraig]

So we rented a UHaul truck and trailer and towed it to my house a couple of weeks ago, good thing.
It strongly appears the owner before me slapped in a Felpro head gasket and sent it, as the block is “notched” between two of the cylinders that did not blow this time! It appears from the gasket that all were about to go. Also have the infamous crack near one of the exhaust seats….so we will pull the engine to get the block decked etc. and may be upgrading to a BoPort head etc.