There is a Heart Beat!!

After adjusting the timing for the past week or so, I think I've got it just about right. The black lines just below the distributor show how far I had to adjust the timing before I could get any reaction from the engine. Margaret and I have been trying it, and last night when we tried to turn over Diane and she backfired. Not necessarily from the exhaust but there was a big bang and a plume that came back from the carburetor. Needless to say it made me jump back a little bit since my hand was over the carb. When I jumped poor Margaret jumped too from inside the truck. Once we both had realized what happened, we tried to use gas instead of the starter fluid I had been using. We poured some gas into the funnel/hose that I had set up, which is hooked up to the fuel intake into the carb. We tried it again and nothing. I tried adjusting it again thinking that maybe it had moved with the backfire...but of course I was unsuccessful. I talked to Rob about the carb backfiring and he thinks there might not be any compression in the engine. He said it that was the case then I would most likely either need to get a new engine or have this one rebuilt.

Once again being frustrated I have moved on to other things while I try to calm down from realizing I may need to have the engine rebuilt. I was finally able to remove the driver side window and frame, as well as the door handle, latch plate, and trim around the window. Even with the trim removed I think my two girls are ready for a drive!