i just changed my timing chain, and my car feels very smooth, much more so than before. however, it seems to have lost its gusto. smooth, but i can give it WOT and it accelerates like a toyota tercell.

anything common that would have caused this??

maybe need timing adjusted??

thanks.

 

You put the thing back together one tooth off and the cam is retarded.

 

Yup, thats what it sounds like.

 

If you know the spec's of hte cam, put a degree wheel on it and a dial indicator on a rocker arm. You find TDC, then see if your cam opens where the spec's are.

 

noooooooooooooooo

is there anything i could adjust or do to compensate, besides starting over and lining it up right?

guys, i'm unstable. i only have a few more days of spring break left. i'm starting to gett crazy thoughts....how much would a shop charge...

 

It could be that, but it could also be a number of things. If you changed the timing chain, chances are you pulled the intake, right? You also pulled the distributor then.

at the very least, make sure your timing is perfect. retarded timing can make a race car into a dog.

 

The Cam is retarded or the owner is?

JUST KIDDING!!!

I've never changed a timing chain before so I have no room to talk. I just couldn't resist the pun

 

how bad would it be for a 'retarded' guy like me to drive on it like this?? could i do more damage?

 

Depending on the cam profile, you could bend an exhaust valve or hole out the top of a piston. The pistons come to TDC just as the exhaust valve is closing, in effect "chasing" the valve to the seat. If the valve is closing too late, you may have some piston/valve interference - not a good thing.

 

hmmm, not what i wanted to hear. well, cam is stock (3.1). not sure what i aim to do at this point. i think i will at least go to a shop tomorrow and have them set the ignition timing. from that point, i just dont know. i have limited time before i have to go back to school, a 100miles away.

you suggest i just leave the car at home until i have time to rip her back apart??

in other words, that 100 mile trek is a definite no no??

how much you guys think a shop would charge, minus the parts? guess i'll ask tomorrow.