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timing issues 81 vette

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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 09:52 AM
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Default timing issues 81 vette

Me again :/ got spark even had car running. Decent for. A bit after coil change and dropping in dizzy rerouting plug wires . Could get good initial start up but no performance on road like an idiot I adjusted the large flat head screw on top of quadrajet center in front part of the carb. About to go vacume advanced dizzy and get a elderbrock carb rip computer out just wanna drive two back to back days....1981 corvette electric carb
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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 12:09 PM
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Did you disconnect the 4 pin connector before setting the timing?
What advance did you set the timing to? It will run better when set to 12 degrees.
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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 12:13 PM
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I don't know what you did to the carb but your timing sounds like it's too far retarded. When the choke closed at high idle will let it run but you'll have nothing aa far as power goes and when it warms up it will usually run much worse. Turn the dizzy counter clock wise about a 1/4 inch and see if it improves and try to put the carb screw back..
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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by hugie82
I don't know what you did to the carb but your timing sounds like it's too far retarded. When the choke closed at high idle will let it run but you'll have nothing aa far as power goes and when it warms up it will usually run much worse. Turn the dizzy counter clock wise about a 1/4 inch and see if it improves and try to put the carb screw back..
It would not stay running or start up with the wide connector (4 prong) unhooked from distributor .. yes timei ng is all fudged up
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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 01:42 PM
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did you try turning the distributor very slightly counter clock wise when you had the connector removed and were attempting to start the car?
are you using a timing light to set the timing?
was the distributor removed from the engine and reinstalled?
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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
did you try turning the distributor very slightly counter clock wise when you had the connector removed and were attempting to start the car?
are you using a timing light to set the timing?
was the distributor removed from the engine and reinstalled?
Yea I dropped in dizzy found top dead center made that numver one plug pointed rotor at it and then. By hand at the alternator I lined up the line with 0 on harmonic balancer that was of course days ago no damn clue where or what I'm screwin up now frustrating
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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 04:30 PM
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if you found top dead center the 0 on the harmonic balancer should have lined up. Your timing is too retarded from everything you have posted. With the engine off, the 4 pin connector disconnected, rotate the distributor about a 1/4" counter clockwise and then try starting it. You never answered the question, are you using a timing light?
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Old Aug 5, 2015 | 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
if you found top dead center the 0 on the harmonic balancer should have lined up. Your timing is too retarded from everything you have posted. With the engine off, the 4 pin connector disconnected, rotate the distributor about a 1/4" counter clockwise and then try starting it. You never answered the question, are you using a timing light?
No timing light just me
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Old Aug 5, 2015 | 03:17 PM
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well than you are going to have a problem getting the car to run correctly. Rent or buy one and set the timing correctly.
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Old Aug 5, 2015 | 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by MelWff
well than you are going to have a problem getting the car to run correctly. Rent or buy one and set the timing correctly.
I can't even get base timing using TDC to make it start I'm doing some step wrong or backwards do u make the mettle piece the rotor bolts to point at #1 cylinder after TDC is found or the rotor itself and witch end of rotor if so
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Old Aug 5, 2015 | 05:15 PM
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I know there's a thousand threads on this believe me I read them I don't know how I'm not getting it now
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Old Aug 6, 2015 | 11:36 PM
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If the ECM system on your '81 is still operational, IT sets the timing as needed, depending on inputs it gets from O2 sensor, etc. There is a specific procedure by which initial timing is set for the stock '81, and it can be found in the 1981 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual (may not be called exactly that for '81, but it's the manual made for Chevrolet to depict each of the car's operating systems and how to maintain them). You can probably find that procedure on the web, too.
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Old Aug 10, 2015 | 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 81coRVetie
I can't even get base timing using TDC to make it start I'm doing some step wrong or backwards do u make the mettle piece the rotor bolts to point at #1 cylinder after TDC is found or the rotor itself and witch end of rotor if so
Since I believe you removed the distributor read this article on how to correctly install it and start the car. You will have to rent or buy a timing light.
http://www.stl-vettes.com/65Vette/co...istinstall.pdf
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