using a jumper & timing light, I set the timing to 5 dgrs. But with the time set like this the engine bogs and or dies whenever i hit the gas. the ecu only shows the 51 code. I had to set my time back to 36 dgrs for any sort of acceptable performance. Could my distributor be the problem?

 

Code 51 usually means your TPS needs adjusted, this usually means your computer is not getting the idle signal. Easy job if you have mechanic skills, Haynes manual and a set of feeler gauges. Get this worked out before suspecting bad parts.