thanks for the help but as it turns out, i finally figured it out. a couple of years ago a guy re-built the bottom end and it seems as though for some un-known reason he did´nt use the factory timing mark on the flywheel. instead he made his own mark and it was´nt a problem until i slung out the timing advance weights and had to replace them. needless to say, i could´nt get it timed right. i finally noticed the homemade mark, tried it and it worked. go figure! anyway, all of this has convinced me to spend the monet and go to an electronic ignition. thanx again, maybe i can help someone some time. c-ya.