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Timing question 76 350

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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 10:16 AM
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Default 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?
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 11:42 AM
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See the timing thread in this sticky above:

**** Consolidated FAQ, Tech Tips and what happened to my sticky thread***
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 02:44 PM
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Does the car run ok? Where does the rotor point to when at tdc?
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 04:03 PM
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It could be the harmonic damper. When they get old, the outer ring can slip in relation to the inner ring, throwing your TDC mark off.
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by rgpta
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?
Possibly your balancer has slipped, but it sounds more like your distributor wasn't installed correctly. You should not be able to "push down" the distributor if it's flange is properly seated on the intake. And if someone timed the engine without it being seated, then pushing it all the way down could potentially throw your timing way the hell off and stall the engine.
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 05:19 PM
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Its you Harmonic Bal. This very same thing happened to me back in oct. I was going crazy trying to get the timing. Finally relized the bal. had spun.
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by daanbc
Its you Harmonic Bal. This very same thing happened to me back in oct. I was going crazy trying to get the timing. Finally relized the bal. had spun.
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...)
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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 11:04 PM
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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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Old Apr 28, 2011 | 11:13 PM
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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.
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Old Apr 29, 2011 | 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by azza2u
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.
If the balancer moved once it will move again. Thats why I suggested timing it by ear. When an engine strarts pinging under load or cranks hard, you hit the limit on timing advance. Then just back it off until it stops. Easy!
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Old Apr 29, 2011 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by daanbc
its you harmonic bal. This very same thing happened to me back in oct. I was going crazy trying to get the timing. Finally relized the bal. Had spun.
++2
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