I've got 45 degrees of initial advance timing. When I try to retard it to 6-8 degrees it dies and will not start.

I have disconnected the 4 wire connector while trying to do this.

I can tell a big diff as I rotate the dist... RPM's increase from 600 to 1000 and then it dies as I try to retard it further.

Timing light is on #1 wire.

What is going on?

It runs great at 45 degrees.

Am I 1 gear of on the dist?

Brand new Dist shaft and cap, new Edelbrock cam & double roller timing chain.

 

Sounds like your timing marks may be off. Did you change timing chain covers or harmonic balancers? The size of the harmonic balancer affects the location of your 0 timing mark, they need to be matched. Most aftermarket timing chain covers& timing tabs aren't made to work with a stock 305 balancer unless you make a new 0 timing mark on it or get an adjustable timing tab so you can set it to the proper location.

 

shot in the dark, shouldnt you be disconnecting a single wire, possibly brown? to set timing. Not a 4 wire connector

 

IIRC, the '86 and '87 carbed engines still had the really old CC system (as opposed to the plain old '165) and subsequently had the 4-wire flat connector for EST.

Make sure the balancer and timing tab are correct for the engine. You may have to remove the #1 plug and manually crank the engine to TDC on #1 while checking with a probe.

 

JBenge, You may have nailed it.
I did replace the timing cover with a 2 piece unit.
The old cover had a timing marker attached to it. I replaced it with one that attached to the 2 outside bolt. However, I believe the old one was in the middle of the cover.

What options do I have to get an effective mark?

The balancer was cleaned, painted black and I painted the mark white so it would show up nicely. So the balancer should be matched but the tab is wrong.

 

ThommyDee's86Z,
You can paint over the white line currently on your balancer. Then find Top dead center and make a new white line on your balancer at the 0 mark on your tab. Thats the easiest solution. I made the same mistake once, I can't remember how far I moved the line on the balancer though. Good luck.

 

good solution, sounds like the easiest way to go.
Thanks