94 Metro Terrible Acceleration - FIXED

It's FIXED!!!!! Thanks to Crvett69, RossT, pspringe and, of course DOCTORBILL for your friendly advice. For weeks, I have struggle with this, read a million threads, and lost sleep over how I can fix this little booger. Today I advanced the timing to approximately 10 BTDC and...presto-gizmo...it runs like it should! I went directly to the gas station to fill 'er up so I can see what kind of improvement I will get on the mpg. I've only gotten about 24 mpg the last two tankfuls and getting to 55 mph was a struggle. I experienced the 'sweet spot' at certain rpms (as many of you have). I bought this car for my 16 year old daughter, but I may be the one driving it. It's actually fun to drive!!!!! Thanks again.

It feels good to do something yourself!! Good job.

small11,
I feel like I'm in an adult go-cart. Glad you are getting the good acceleration.
Probably much better mileage too. My daughter won't get mine.

I would like to ask someone (Crvett69 ?) about timing.

Does setting the Timing too far ahead do bad things to the Valves...?

DoctorBill

more likely you will get pinging or detonation in the combustion chamber and that can damage pistons

I have experienced no pinging or pre-detonation and am very aware of that issue. As a matter of fact I backed it off a couple of degrees (from 12 btdc) just to be safe. I never took off the timing cover to check the relationship between the crank and the cam. Could the fact that it runs better because I advanced the timing (to correct the poor acceleration issue) just be compensating for the timing belt being off a tooth? Like always, I truly appreciate your input.