Thanks Art. I may need to re-check my marks again since it was a cold day, I was tired and frustrated, and my dog was in the house. I think I will remote bump the starter to move the rotor to the proper mark on the distributor housing and then pull the #1 plug and check to see if I am at TDC. That would mean I am on the compression stroke and not on the exhaust stroke, I think. Gosh, I need a vacation!
I have never really touched the rubber housing on the throttle body. To lift the plate on the fuel distributor to "hear the injectors sing" do I loosen the bottom clamps on the rubber boot, or both top and bottom? Seems kinda tight in there and will be hard to see the plate. What tool do you recommend to lift the plate since it is so delicate?
BTW, I meant to thank you for directing me check the wire connections down to the starter. The little brown wire connecter was on but very loose and full of grit and oil. I found another one off my old parts car that was clean, snipped it off and replaced the bad one, replaced and reconnected on this '79. I am not sure if I fixed an issue related to this whole deal but at least eliminated a potential one later.
Is it possible the auxiliary air valve could be stuck closed due to being gummy in there? Would that cause any of this? All these parts are old as dirt on this '79 car, but it is the first 240 I bought back in '99 and has been the most reliable of all six I have owned. This is the first long problem. I replaced both pumps a year ago.
Though not the longest post ever, it probably is the longest post lately. I will hang in there and am very grateful to those sticking with me. My dog thanks you, too. My daughter too, whose car this is, but is VERY happy to be driving my nice blue '89 all over Raleigh for the last two weeks. I want it back! Thanks Art. ~ JG (tired in NC)