I do not remember the exact number but I have verified a few weeks back that the "notch" is visible through the IP peep hole at the "forum correct" crank pulley timing mark...

Anyway, I figured I'd experiment with advancing the timing because I have visible smoke when idling and absolutely no pulling power going uphill...

My IP is missing the adjustment screw so I'm relying on a little bit of prying power to rotate the pump(top) TOWARDS the engine to advance the timing... but it seems that the pump is already at its farthest travel... I could rotate the pump easily AWAY from the engine though.

Does this seem normal? I'm getting the impression that my pump MAY have been set too advanced? But my symptoms AFAIK indicates retarded timing does it not?

For the sake of experimenting... IF I try to rotate the IP AWAY from the engine, thus retarding the timing, what should I expect to happen at idle?

Need input guys before I button her up again...
thanks

__________________

85 190E 2.3(SOLD)
86 230E (-->300D) sold
87 300D (-->300TD) sold
68 250S w/ a 615 and manual tranny (RIP)
87 300TD (SOLD)
95 S280 "The KRAKEN" (Turbo 2.9 602 transplant) traded
86 190E 2.3... current project