Hey folks,

When I installed my distributer on a recent teardown/rebuild, I installed with the damper showing TDC and my distro pointing right before #! (as per the chilton books directions) However, when I hook up the timing light to it to tune it, the line is nowhere near the marker plate. The line is about 90% off, all the way on the passenger side of the damper. When I turn the distributer towards the marker plate, about 45% out she begins to sputter and try to die. I've done my best to "time by ear" but it still doesn't sound right. What causes this? When I did the teardown, I didn't pull the timing chain cover off, so I don't know if thats aligned correctly or not. Unfortunately, I didn't time it before I did the teardown either (blown headgasket meant not running it til the rebuild) so I don't know if this was an existing condition or not.

 

You sure you're on #1? Driverside front plug?

 

Same balancer? Same timing cover? Sure the balancer isn't toast (spun on the rubber over the hub)? Only real way is to put a degree wheel on it, measure top dead center with a piston stop, and check your balancer versus the timing mark.

 

yea, I'm positive about #1 plug

Anyway, I was thinking, the guy who rebuilt the engine prior to me buying it was a moron, would it be possible to installed the timing chain so that it would be 90 degrees off?

 

Timing gears would be pretty difficult to get that far off...beside, cam timing would be so off I doubt it would run.

loTec brings up a very good point, when balancer rings slips, it makes it look like you have to really advance the timing to get it to run...think of the rotation of the harmonic dampener...then imagine if you were to stop it's rotation for a moment...the inner part connected to the crank continues to revolve...now let go and notice your timing mark is way "behind" or ATDC from the crank revolution.

If you search the general Tech forum, you'll be able to find the relation between the keyway and TDC mark on the hub...and you'll know for sure...if search fails ya, have the local parts shop pull one for your year engine and get an idea...IIRC the TDC mark is about 15-20 degrees to the right of the keyway...but don't take my word for it, I'm going by (old and faded) memory.