That is discouraging, Mike....but for the time being I'll keep working with it and see if progress can be made. Nothing appears broken in any way, and this is one you can take the top off and really get a good look inside.
I did adjust the height of the presser bar, which was very low. It's now set so that, with the foot raised, the needle clamp, as it goes to its lowest point, doesn't quite make contact with the foot. It looks right, not too high or low, so that shouldn't be part of the problem, should it?
I've never had a machine that needed timing, (except for a couple chainstitch toys) so this problem was off my radar. Rescuing sewing machines! Good thing it isn't cars.....
Dianne in Colorado