[nkaminar]

John,

You have stated several times that you think this is an ignition issue. The only thing that I can think of that would give you the response with your advance lever is that the engine is too advanced or becomes too advanced. Check the plunger in the front. It is not too hard to do. But before that try a timing light. You can just put a mark with a bit of paint on the front pulley at 12:00 at TDC. You don't even need a pointer or you can just jury rig something up. Nothing like data to help understand what is wrong. It will be easy to see if the timing is 25 degrees advanced or 50 degrees. You don't need exact numbers for this first test. Or if you want to be more exact, put another mark 25 degrees advanced of the 12:00 position (12:50). With a 25 degree advance (close to ideal) the mark for TDC at 12:00 will be at 11:10. To be on the safe side you can take the fan belt off for the test.