Timing question 76 350
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Joined: Aug 2009
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Timing question 76 350
having trouble timing engine. When I set the damper balancer mark to zero degrees, the number one piston isnt at TDC. also when I push down on distributor the car stalls.
Not sure whta needs to be done intemrs of timing at damper mark or finding TDC and time from there. Also should TDC and balancer mark line up? If so , what could be the problem? Timing chain sprockets not aligned correctly?
Not sure whta needs to be done intemrs of timing at damper mark or finding TDC and time from there. Also should TDC and balancer mark line up? If so , what could be the problem? Timing chain sprockets not aligned correctly?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
having trouble timing engine. When I set the damper balancer mark to zero degrees, the number one piston isnt at TDC. also when I push down on distributor the car stalls.
Not sure whta needs to be done intemrs of timing at damper mark or finding TDC and time from there. Also should TDC and balancer mark line up? If so , what could be the problem? Timing chain sprockets not aligned correctly?
Not sure whta needs to be done intemrs of timing at damper mark or finding TDC and time from there. Also should TDC and balancer mark line up? If so , what could be the problem? Timing chain sprockets not aligned correctly?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Very common on old GM engines. I usually keep advancing the timing until pinging is heard during a test drive with a slight load on the engine or hard cranking when starting happens, then back off until it stops.Pushing down on the cap to make it stall is a problem. Either your hold down is off and the distributor is riding up out of the block(Bad!!!) or the cap is not locked down right (not too bad...)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 658
From: Thunder Bay
Can't explain the pushing on the distributor thing, but I agree the outer ring on your damper has moved. You can make a new mark on the balancer to time the engine with the engine at TDC (#1). The easiest way to do this is to use a tool you screw into the #1 spark plug hole which hits the piston. Rotate the engine (by hand) one way until the piston hits the stop. Mark the damper. Rotate the engine the other way and mark the damper again. Half way between these marks is TDC.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Brisbane Australia
Not sure if it's relevant to you but my balancer actually has 2 sets of timing marks on it. The factory looking ones don't match TDC, but the second ones etched on do. Was told by the previous owner that the second set were added after the engine builders had 'degreed the cam'. Not sure if it's true but sounded plausible to a mechanical novice like me.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Not sure if it's relevant to you but my balancer actually has 2 sets of timing marks on it. The factory looking ones don't match TDC, but the second ones etched on do. Was told by the previous owner that the second set were added after the engine builders had 'degreed the cam'. Not sure if it's true but sounded plausible to a mechanical novice like me.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
