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icked up a short length of speedo cable out of a boneyard car (a 1987 Dakota .. HOPEFULLY the outer sheath is the right length for my 1988!), connected it to the coupler, connected the coupler to the 1000RPM motor, powered it up WHOOPS! Default counterclockwise, so swap the wires AGAIN (had them swapped thinking it was clockwise, and needed counter clockwise.) Speedo is now sitting at 61 MPH and the motor hasn't warmed up in 3 hours ...
Pics are attached.
I had bumped the needle, it's reading 4MPH high. This is how I'm driving it.
I had been suffering from a loss of power recently; I tuned it up (plugs anyway), have cap and rotor, did the inline fuel filter.
Nothing seemed to help.
So I decided to check the timing. (note: 1988, LA motor, can set timing with distributor)
I put my tool on the hold down bolt - what's this? It just spins?
Damn distributor was loose!
Advanced it to about 14*, tightened it. Now about to go for a drive.
(Actually, had problem finding the light - set for 18 inch vacuum at idle.)
RwP
I'd point and laugh if I hadn't done similar things myself through the yers. I nearly scrapped a truck once because I forgot the fuel gauge wasn't right. The GF mentioned it might be out of fuel. Sure enough, 5 gallons and it fired right up.