I'm missing the "tan wire with a black stripe" that you disconnect to properly adjust your base timing....probably just me,but I've been looking and looking...where the hell is it!?

 

mine is located on the passengers side just above the blower motor.

 

I have a '86 bird and I havent found the "wire" yet either, If you cannot find it you can still set your timing by disconnecting the 4 wire connector coming out of the dist., this connector usually drops down behind the engine somewhere near the bellhousing just under the dist., thats how I set my timing and have had no problems doing it.