451 you might be on to something there The color change on the strap is about 1/8 in from the threaded body of the plug saying way too much timing. I wonder if my dampner slipped on the hub or the timing/degree marks are wrong on it. It wouldn't be the first time that a slipping dampner had me second guessing myself and chasing gremlins. I will get the motor at TDC and see if it's TDC on the dampner. I've noticed it being a little hard for the starter to crank the motor when the the motor is warm/hot. If I remember right that says too much advance also.