Really bad timing (pic)
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
Really bad timing (pic)
I would assume this is not good. My "mechanic" did this when trying to set the timing on my '85. Its not running right and when I try to turn it back to where it should be the timing is way off and will stall. Where it is now, timing is at 10* BTDC. How do I fix this?
Team Owner
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Did he pull the distributor out for some reason? Find the #1 sparkplug wire (drivers side at the front) and follow it back, which terminal is it on?
Timing should be set at 6 degrees.
Timing should be set at 6 degrees.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: sw Ohio
All of the wires are correct. He did not remove the distributor, but I did when I was working on the car before. Last time it was running just fine, it was in this exact same position.
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Team Owner
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From: sw Ohio
The whole thing, but I would think that any competent mechanic would say "hey its backwards, I need to turn it around". I told him that I wasnt sure about the timing either so its not like he didnt know.
I was thinking about taking it out and flipping it 180*, good idea or no?
I was thinking about taking it out and flipping it 180*, good idea or no?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Less Talk, More WOT | Houston TX
The whole thing, but I would think that any competent mechanic would say "hey its backwards, I need to turn it around". I told him that I wasnt sure about the timing either so its not like he didnt know.
I was thinking about taking it out and flipping it 180*, good idea or no?
I was thinking about taking it out and flipping it 180*, good idea or no?
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Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Plano TX
If you look on the plenum, #1 should point to just between where the dist cover screws in and the corner of the plenum.
I just recently did some major work on mine and found that to line up damn near perfect.
That's on my 85 of course, but should be pretty close on yours also.
I just recently did some major work on mine and found that to line up damn near perfect.
That's on my 85 of course, but should be pretty close on yours also.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: sw Ohio
I flipped the distributor 180* and now the car wont start no matter how much I turn it. The mark on the damper was lined up with the rotor pointing towards #1 too. I've never had this much trouble putting a vehicle into time. *sigh*
On a brighter note, my ALDL cable came in today
Kinda useless right now though.
On a brighter note, my ALDL cable came in today
Kinda useless right now though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
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From: seattle WA
Pull #1 plug, bring it up making sure you're on the compression stroke..not the exhaust, take a look at the timing mark next, you should be able to pull the dizzy and get it in the rightorientation and get the rotor pointing to #1, don't forget to try getting the oil pump shaft as close to mateing..just use a long screw driver for that. Sounds like your 180* out right now.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: sw Ohio
I got it running again, but its really bad like before. The cap is now facing the right direction, but no matter how much I try to adjust it, just seems like its not getting enough spark. I know its getting fuel, smells like its igniting it. I have a new cap, rotor, wires, and plugs. Everything worked fine until I got a fuel leak.
To be honest, i've had quite enough of this car. In the year and 4 months that i've owned it, its only ran well for less than half of that time. If I dont get this fixed i'm seriously considering getting rid of it.
To be honest, i've had quite enough of this car. In the year and 4 months that i've owned it, its only ran well for less than half of that time. If I dont get this fixed i'm seriously considering getting rid of it.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: sw Ohio
Yes they are all correct. Everything is in correct order or else I wouldnt be asking for help. The only thing I can of would be the ignition module, coil, or even the distributor itself (seems unlikely). I cant find any info on symptoms for any of those except not running, which mine IS doing.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
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From: sw Ohio
you need a better wrench
The car is small block chevy powered no reason you cannot get it running right.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Plano TX
You would be chasing the timing all over the place if you attempted to set the timing with the EST plugged in still.
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From: sw Ohio
I've been looking through my FSM and I guess my symptoms would be Hesitation, Sag, Stumble. Here are the problems it lists...
Fuel Pressure - its good
Contaminated fuel - nope
Air leak - nope
MAF sensor - nope
TPS sticking - not likely (havent tested)
Faulty spark plugs, wires - nope
Alternator bad - possibly (not tested)
HEI Ground (Bypass line) - ??? (wtf is this)
Ignition Timing - most likely since its messed up
Fuel Pressure - its good
Contaminated fuel - nope
Air leak - nope
MAF sensor - nope
TPS sticking - not likely (havent tested)
Faulty spark plugs, wires - nope
Alternator bad - possibly (not tested)
HEI Ground (Bypass line) - ??? (wtf is this)
Ignition Timing - most likely since its messed up