Chevy 350 timing help!!!!!

[njzuk]

I’ve been a lurker for along time and I can handle most everything the cruiser world has thrown at me, but after recently working on the Chevy 350 in my 1965 FJ40 has left me scratching my head. I just replaced the timing chain on the engine (it was running like crap and there was 12 degrees of slack in the chain). When I did this I replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor, balancer, water pump, fuel pump, alternator, and distributor. Now that I have it back together it will only run with the timing advanced to over 25 degrees PTC and when it does it runs terrible. I’m not sure if when we did the chain we were off a link or what. The dots in the gears where lined up when in stalled. I don’t know much about Chevy engines so any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance
Keith

 

[jkl72-40]

Is the dizzy in correct? and the plugs in correct order? Not to bag on you but we all make simple mistakes. Double check the simple stuff. If it still runs bad maybe the chain is off the mark. Just a guess..........

 

[fj40taz]

I think you would want to make sure your number 1 cylander is at top dead center and then pull the distributor cap off and see where it points to.

you could be off a tooth or so with the distributor..

ask me how i know................

on a side note you still looking for a tranny??

 

[cmiller114]

How was it running before the work?
Did you do a compression check?
Is it all stock? How many miles....I'm guessing a ton if the timing set was worn that bad.

 

[dgangle]

there is no real easy way of knowing if you installed the chain correctly without removing the wp, balancer and cover. if all the easy stuff checks out it may become a more serious option for you to consider.

Being off a tooth on the dizzy isn't a big deal and be compensated for by turning the dizzy, just will look 'tarded to someone that knows/notices. There are hundered of vids on Utube that will show you how to install it correctly.

I'd check this and plug wiring first.

 

[njzuk]

thanks for the input guys! The motor was at TDC when the chain was installed and the rotor cap was pointing at the number one cylinder, and it does it now after the chain install. the wires are in the correct place tripple checked and then checked again just for fun. I checked the compression and I got 120 on 7 cylinders and 125 on number 6. the motor is out for a 1974 nova so it a low compression engine to begin with. as for how it was running before at best it ran ok sometimes there was allways this miss and then it got really hard to start, thats when I figure a new chin was in order. I'm really starting the think this motor is smarter than ME!

 

[RMC73FJ40]

Might be a stupid question, but did you replace your timing chain cover, harmonic balancer, or timing pointer? Depending on the year model of the engine they moved the timing mark. Sure it's not a 305? If it is timing mark is at 12 o'clock. If you did replace those items compare to the ones you took off.

Which timing chain and gear set did you use? Some, like Cloyes, allow for several different timing setups. They'll have like an A, B, and C in addition to the regular dots.

We just got through a rebuild of my son's 350 and replaced everything. His wouldn't run very well without the timing up at 22 degrees.....until we found the vacuum advance on the new Summit distributor was bad. Now runs great at 8 degrees.

Make sure vacuum advance is plugged into right port on carb too.

 

[pb4ugo]

If you installed the dist w/the timing gear mark at 6 oclock and the crank gear mark at 12 oclock(which is correct for installation.), then it is 180* out. You would have needed to rotate the engine 360* to get 1 to TDC on the compression stroke(timing gear mark @ 12:00 & crank gear @ 12:00).
If you did not rotate the engine 360* after installing the gears and installed the dist. then it will be firing on #6cyldr.

Did you disconnect the vacum adv. when checking the timing, also check and make sure the centrifigal advance works properly.

If it's an HEI dist the rotor should be pointing at the back of the carb, for # 1 cyldr.

 

[dargreg]

X2 on the 305 at 12 oclock.It doesnt matter if your cam gear was at 12 oclock or 6 oclock as long as the crank gear was at 12 oclock the only thing is you would be bang on the timing if the cam gear was at 6 oclock for every sbc other than the 305 or 180 deg out at 12 oclock for the same .Take the dist. out and rotate it 180 degrees put it in ,fire it up and tell everybody you have a 305.

 

[njzuk]

the fact that I was 180 out had occured to me so I changed the number one cylinder to the number 6 cylinider and went clock wise from there and no good still. the casting numbers on the block are for a 1974 nova. the new harmonic dampener that I put has marks for the 12 o'clock and the two o'clock. the dis is an old points style dizzy. I think that I skipped a link while the motor was together cause the chain was so loose. that would explain why it will only run with the timing so advanced. gonna pull the whole thing apart and give it another shot this time taking the valve cover off and making sure the valves are closed at TDC just for good measure. thank for all your input guys.

 

[pb4ugo]

HybridZ - View Single Post - Quick SBC timing question

 

[RMC73FJ40]

My son's block was a casting number 3970010......that block was in all kids of stuff. Don't necessarily go by the casting number.

 

[cmiller114]

If you installed the dist w/the timing gear mark at 6 oclock and the crank gear mark at 12 oclock(which is correct for installation.), then it is 180* out. You would have needed to rotate the engine 360* to get 1 to TDC on the compression stroke(timing gear mark @ 12:00 & crank gear @ 12:00).
If you did not rotate the engine 360* after installing the gears and installed the dist. then it will be firing on #6cyldr.
2X
I'm betting on burnt valves and a worn out camshaft!
I have a set of heads, camshaft, timing set, lifters, rods and MSD Streetfire HEI off a crate motor with about 1000 miles on it that I will sell for a song in central PA.....PM if interested.

 

[Dudleyfj40]

Might be a stupid question, but did you replace your timing chain cover, harmonic balancer, or timing pointer? Depending on the year model of the engine they moved the timing mark. Sure it's not a 305? If it is timing mark is at 12 o'clock. If you did replace those items compare to the ones you took off.

I did this and my cruiser would run great at about 44* advanced.

I ended up getting a different balancer to make my timing light read what It was supposed to.

You can compare the keyway on the balancer to the TDC mark.