what is this lever in a '69 White with a 220 cummins?

This is for those who have experience with the old-timers. I just bought a '69 White-Western Star with (I think) a 220 cummins. No turbo, center-drop exhaust.

In the cab there is a handle that can be pulled back, and it turns a rod that disappears into the front of the block about half-way up...around camshaft height, I'm guessing.

Is a this a timing advance for cold-starts or something? If I use my imagination, it made the engine sound slightly different when it was warmed up, but made no difference to the smoke or sound when it was cold.

Also, I was driving home with the handle pulled back when I blew a piston ring or something...the front jug is dead, and there is as much blowby as exhaust. Did I wreck my engine by not pushing the handle in? I left it out because the guy I bought the truck from (who knew less than nothing) seemed to think it should be pulled out, and he hadn't wrecked the thing yet.

Anywho, I guess I'm going to learn heavy-duty-mechanicing now.

Thanks for the info.

Phil

 

Thanks, men, that is good info to know. I would say that the lever was not working properly, because pulling the lever really doesn't make a difference in the way the engine sounds, even though the linkage is moving all the way into the engine. As for my engine problems, the blowby coming out of the crankcase breather increased by 10 times once the problem started, which is what is making me think that it is a piston ring issue.

When I pull the rocker cover, what should I look for?

I'll post some photos soon. Thanks for the help.

Cheers,
Phil

 

Hey Longhood379, I put Calgary in my profile because it is easier for most to figure out where I'm from, but I see that you are from my little hometown. PM me...maybe we know each other.

Phil