The Brick LIVES!...turns out that the coolant tmeperature sensor was working, but that the signal was not reaching the ECU for some reason. I suspect that it was the connector at the sensor. A test revealed no short in the harness (but it was obvious that someone had messed with the harness before me). Had to pull the intake manifold in order to get at the sensor. I then pulled the sensor and tested it using boilng and ice water...it woked fine. Reinstalled...reset the timing to a more reasonable, I'll be it high setting, setting (between 15 and 18 degrees advance) and she fired and ran flawlessly. I also replaced the rubber hose that connects the hard plastic tube which runs from the ignition control module to the intake manifold, as that 3cm section looked as though it had seen better days. tonight she gets an oil change and tomarrow is a shake-down run before heading on my trip from D.C. to Pittsburgh. I did notice however that when i went around a left turn qucikly the headlights cut out, but not the driving lights. the next hard left they cam back on....christ...i am sick of chasing gremlins. Thanks to all who gave their thoughts on the old box.