On Sat, 16 Jul 2005 23:19:37 +0000, Dale wrote:

> might of jumped on the timing belt
>
> "Robbi" > wrote in message
> news:zBeCe.45114$rb6.1004@lakeread07...
>> The ignition timing on my '90 Miata (manual 5-speed) needs to be set w-a-y
>> out of specs (about 18 degrees BTDC instead of 10) for the car to have any
>> pick-up at all. At that setting, the car idles well and drives well, but
>> has a very pronounced hesitation/flat spot when starting from a
>> stand-still and I need to pump the accelerator to increase the RPM before
>> releasing the clutch.
>>
>> Any ideas out there what might be wrong with it? The sparkplugs are good,
>> and so are the ignition wires.
>>
>> Thanks! -- Robbi.

My guess would be timing belt, too. One tooth on the intake side would be
several degrees out due to the cam angle sensor driving from the back of
that camshaft, one tooth on the crank sprocket (more likely) would be
double that amount.