First thing to check would be the distributor and its vacuum
connections.  You should be able to connect a vacuum hose to the dist.
and suck by mouth to obtain advance, even at idle.  If you cannot do
this, then the diaphragm in the advance is most likely bad and will need
to be replaced.

Karl Wolz

I followed procedures outlined in a posting by Mark Keller to set the
timing on my '89 Carat, automatic.  According to his instructions I set
the timing so that the mark on the pulley (which is supposed to be the 5
degrees BTDC mark) lines up with the case seam while the engine runs at
2400 RPM.  No problem there.  However, as I understand his instructions,
above 3000 RPM, the timing should reach a total advance of 40 degrees.
On my engine the timing does not advance at all.  No matter where I set
the timing at idle, at higher RPMs the timing does not change at all.
Can anyone explain this?

Chad Morris
89 Carat
Salt Lake City, UT