I went to go adjust a few things on the car today, and one of the things I wanted to check was the timing. Now, this may sound wierd, but I always felt as if the timing maybe was off. But thats another story.

First of all, the car starts perfectly fine, almost instantly, every time. It runs and idles pretty good too, even with the ESC connector unplugged.

Anyway, today I put a good mark on the balancer so it was easy for me to see (of course, in the proper groove). I also marked where 0* was on the timing cover. I unplugged the ESC connector, set my advance on my timing light to 0, put the plug adapter thingy on the #1 spark plug and fired the car up. It fired up instantly and idled great, however something was wierd. I could not see my timing mark at all. Only by setting the advance on the timing light to 60*, I could just barely see my timing mark WAY WAY advanced.

Now, one has got to wonder, what is wrong? Why does my car run perfectly fine, yet the timing mark on the balancer is nowhere in sight? What can I do to fix it and make it right?

 

outter ring slipped on the hub, you got the inductive pick up on the wrong wire, the EST isn't unplugged would be just a few guesses

 

Double checked the right pickup wire (I thought I was having a stupid moment, but I was right (Drivers side, front). EST Is unplugged, double checked, even if it was plugged in, it shouldn't be over 60* advanced.

Now.. the hub thing. I am really not sure about that. The engine was recently rebuilt, but I am not sure if the same balancer was used or not. I guess it could happen, and that would explain a few things I guess.

 

besides the outter ring slipping, maybe during the rebuild the balancer got swaped with one from a different motor, or the old one had a problem & was replaced with the wrong one.
i would think if the ring had slipped that much you would notice a bit of vibration going up or coming down when reved it in park.
maybe pull #1 plug & bring it up to TDC by the piston & see where the mark is.
if a truck balancer was put on, it will work as far as balancing the motor but the timing mark with the piston at TDC will be at the top of the balancer instead of off to the the side.

 

I will have to check on that balancer. That may be my problem. In fact, I am pretty sure I did see some vibration in the balancer (a while ago, I didn't pay too much attention to it today...) One thing though, when I was watching the timing mark with the timing light, it was dead on, no wierd movement in the mark.

I do believe this balancer was orignally on a 305 motor before it was moved to this engine.

(**Edit, haha, forgot I was on Fbod's computer)

 

Well, I disproved the bad timing light theory. I used a snap-on digital timing light today. Offically, I am exactly 100 degrees advanced. With the esc connector on, I am 110 degress advanced.

I checked out the balancer and I couldn't make it move, the rubber looked good. Strangely enough today however, I came across a buick regal with the exact same balancer issue you were describing. The rubber was worn and I could easily turn balancer by hand. At least I know what I was looking for. As for my car, it looks ok.

Looks like I will need to find TDC and mark that spot on my balancer. Or at least, find out why the timing marks aren't showing up properly.

 

not a stupid question i have a 1986 camaro and iam haveing the same prob so if you find out how to fix let me know thanks alot

 

i had the same prob with my camaro i replaced the magnetic pickup coil in the dist fixed the prob

 

stock timing cover? the pointer should be in the 12 O'clock position not the regular 2 O'clock