Help! Timing Problem?

[PKRWUD]

Do you have a half inch distributor wrench? Back off the timing a few degrees. You don't have to have a light because you don't have to be exact. Retarding the timing won't harm your engine, but just do it enough to lower the idle a couple hundred rpm's (with the spout pulled), tighten it up and test drive it. Obviously the extra load is too much under the current driving conditions. Altitude may also play a role. If you are coming from a higher altitude, your engine is going to need a higher octane to run at the same specs you had it at in a higher altitude. In fact, that brings up an important point and a couple more questions: Is there much of an altitude difference from where you were to where you are now? What octane gas are you using? Have you tried a higher octane? I'd go with those before you change your timing, but in the long run a timing change will get you to Texas.

Take care
~Chris