-> ->> This was in the '70s? I seem to recall people being run
-> ->> over by their Ford when trying to get back in to stop the
-> ->> car and falling down. 

-> WC> Yup 1972 Gran Torino. 

-> Gee I remembered something! 

I wish I dcould FORGET that car, too many repeat problems to mention.
Short version extremely expensive "active alternator coil energizer"
solid state regulator replaced three times.
For the forth faiure I cobbled something together out of Radio Shack 
parts for about 11 bucks that remained working to the end.
Three front ends, three transmissions and 4 fuel pumps, ect.
Under 80,000 miles, Windsor not Cleveland 351.
Others shared my experiences with that model.
Odd thing was I could point it to Tenneessee or Florida and it'd
get there no problem but try to drive it across town and it was a real
crap shoot.
Even in Tenneessee it tried to kill me when ALL the lights went
out on a mountain road with no guard rail, no street lights and no moon.
Try GUESSING where the road is and where you are in respect to it
while also guessing where the ditch might be on the mountain side so
you can intentionally drive into it to avoid following traffic :-(
To add to the problem the car was a deep maroon color which is
about invisable until you're right on top of it approaching
at night on an unlit road.
The damn thing was haunted.

-> WC>>> Never did figure out how to set timing or points without
-> WC>>> the motor running to avoid a disintegrating fan blade.
-> WC>>> How would one do the advance setting statically? 

-> ->> Theoretically you could find top dead center then work from
-> ->> there.  Doesn't allow for wear or spring - weight advance
-> ->> properly. 

-> Newer vehicles are transistor ignition with the spark advance
-> managed by a chip.

As was my LAST motorcycle.
Battery died and there was NO way to start it because of the black box
with ROM blown advance timing :-(

-> ->> I used a timing light but stood well back as out of line
-> ->> with the fan as possible. 

-> WC> I used a timing light as well but couldn't stay clear of
-> WC> the fan and do the tuneup. 

-> I bought a car battery assisted timing light - very bright. :-) 

I played the odds.
I never had the fan fail, others did, some died and some were injured.

I sold the car for 25 dollars and the guy couldn't believe his good 
luck on finding a sucker like me as the car _looked_ fine.
The transmission went out the following day without warning as was it's
practice.  
I'd warned the guy but when Gary asked for his money back it was
sorry Charlie.
Then there was the starter(s) ...
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