Still no change, I pulled the cap and rotor again and the plate under the pickup is loose and wobbles around. I can see where it would mess with timing but am lost as to how it would clear up once warm.

 

That plate is held down by the distributor cap. It has nothing to do with ignition though, it simply tells the PCM when the engine is in the firing order, so it knows which injector to fire. Turning the distributor doesn't change ignition timing at all, it changes injector timing.

Still and all, what you have is a sensor that is failing, but starts working properly as it warms. It's likely to be the cam or crank sensor....... testing them though, is the fun part. Really need an oscilloscope for it.

 

not the plate held by the distributor the one that's riveted to the distributor under it. It wiggles all around and can be turned at least a eighth of a turn.

 

I guess it would be called the pulse ring.

 

That could definitely be an issue.......

 

yes sir, as soon as I find a new distributor I'll let ya know if it changes anything.

 

My problem may have sorted itself out. Started it this morning and walked inside, as I passed the window I noticed a huge cloud of steam. Think she just blew a intake or head gasket. Water disappears faster out the exhaust than I can pour it in. At least the new distributor is supposed to be in today😅

 

That's not good......

 

nope lol, funny thing is it's never used water or oil and didn't have a chance to even warm up. Just went all at once. That's my luck though, I took the next 3 days off to do a little bow hunting and looks like I'm going to be working on my beater with a heater for most of it. Lol, while typing this the parts store called and said the distributor is ready for pickup.

 

Let us know what ya find.