I knew I had a timing/ignition issue. I looked at the timing belt, turned the engine over a couple of times but couldn't find the cam mark that's supposed to be on the back cover. So, I removed the valve cover and I found that the cam was about 120 degrees off from where it should have been! I turned the cam into place, reassembled, and it fired right up.

It ain't running great, but that's to be expected given that almost every ignition part was replaced by someone who is prone to mechanical mistakes. I have no idea how the timing could have gotten so far off other than someone intentionally doing it.

I'll keep nursing it back to health. New T-belt and tensioner, rad hoses, thermostat, oil change, coolant flush, trans fluid change for now.


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1980 244 diesel M46 168k, my 4th 240