... I put in a crate GM Goodwrench 350; despite what everyone claims is a poor engine. Maybe a poor choice of judgement on my part.. anyways

Finally got the car running recently after intalling the engine late july of 2003.

parts list
Edelbrock performer 600cfm carb
Edelbrock performer intake
new HEI non cc distributor
New accel plug wires
New Fuel Pump and filter

I have purchased a timing advance timing light, and if I attempt to tune the timing at 800 rpm's to a reasonable 8* BTDC the engine bogs down and performs poorly. It seems to perform best at a base timing of 35* BTDC; with the vacuum advance hooked up it's running about 55* BTDC.

Any Ideas on the problem?

I've already checked the vacuum connections; all is well.

 

Balancer slipped; or balancer and timing cover are not a matched set (balancer made for a 12:30 timing tab, timing cover has a 1:15 timing tab)

 

The timing tab and harmonic damper are mismatched.

I assume you reused your original damper, and the tab was on the engine. Look at the location of the tab on the old engine vs. the new.

 

(Dang, RB beat me to it again! )

 

Damn,
After all this fuss, I feel like a complete moron. I had purchased a new harmonic balancer; unfortunately it was one for a diesel engine... (sonofabitch.) I guess I automatically assumed that a 1985 caprice had a 350 with a 6 & 3/4 inch harmonic balancer; it must not be if my timing mark is that far off. The only question that I pose now is:

When I set the mark to TDC according to the tab (which is new with the crate engine...), both valves are closed on cylinder #1. . .

What should I do? Strip everything down and put a new balancer on it?

BTW I appreciate everyone's help, it's really helped me out!

 

You need to determine #1 top dead center. One way is to remove the #1 spark plug and put in a "piston stop". Turn the engine over by hand until the piston "gently" comes up to the piston stop. Mark the damper at the "zero" of the tab.

Now turn the engine back the other way until #1 piston comes back up against the stop. Mark the damper again.

TDC is exactly half way between the two marks.

Or, tear it down and put the proper dampen on.

 

alright, I'll have to try that this weekend;
I hardly every get time during the week to work on this thing, it's been the 'ongoing' weekend project.

I'll let everyone knows what happens if/when I get it going properly

 

Also when using the piston stop be very carefull on how far you screw the stop into the cylinder...i screwed mine in to far and hit it a little to hard and it bent the bolt...and it marred the spark plug threads trying to take it out..

You dont have to use a "TAB" when timing it in...use the stop to find TDC and make a stationary mark on the motor or whatever using white out or somthing to scratch the cover, then put the timing tape at that mark...

 

f-crazy
I think i'm going to install the proper harmonic balancer. Couldn't damage result using an improper balancer?
Also a mechanic friend of mine has been toying around the idea that the cam gear is a tooth off or something (i'm not too knowledgeable about that stuff)

 

also, might want to lower your idle a tad bit to set the timing, just to make sure that your setting the base timing without any advance. something like 650-700rpm is about right.

might be overkill, but atleast you know that the mechanical advance isn't doing anything.

thats not the problem now, but when you get the new balencer on, and find tdc, you get the timing accurate.