hi all,
I have recently replaced my valve cover, intake, water pump and distributor gaskets on my ccc 305 in my 86 trans am. (All items are stock)Like a dummy, I removed the distributor and marked its position - just not on the rotor. So, sadly enough i have to start over with getting the timing/distributor back in line. I am only one man on this project so it makes it difficult. Heres what i have done so far:
I installed the dist.,turned crankshaft until mark was at 0 deg.. The rotor position confirmed this and i adjusted dist. base to position spark plug/cylinder #1 to match. I tightened everything down and fired it up. The car starts and runs, (i have no vacuum leaks i can find or hear-no foreign fluids) but not like it did (Not to say it was all that great but nevertheless it ran, hence the upgrades.)Now as it didnt run like it use to, i checked the timing again. It was NOT at all correct. The timing mark now shows it to be( i dont know if its before or after TDC)but it was all the way on the drivers side of the dampener almost to a point where it would not be seen. As i played with adjusting this, both back and forth, the idle speed only got slower(currently it was approx.1500rpm)The car is hard to start cold and has no power. My questions are, (1) WTH did i do wrong, must i use the spark plug removal-finger test for compression to find true TDC-or was my method ok- AND - (2)I havent seen this in the forums - what is the deal with the stock timing tab? Mine doesnt have the numbering on it anymore - I have 3 marks closer together and one way out towards the drivers side of the engine. Which is 0 deg.? I figured the only way I'd ever know was to replace the timing cover with and aftermarket and base it off of that.
This is obviously the first time dabbling in this so i own up to my noob move-if i cant figure it out i might have to limp it down the garage and pay to have this corrected, cause warm weather is not far away. Thanks for all replies in advance.

 

Pull the driver side valve cover so you can confirm you have the correct TDC. Both valves on #1 cylinder will be closed well before you reach the TDC mark. Make sure the rotor is pointed towards the plug wire for #1.
If not then pull the distributor back out and reinstall correctly.

 

Good advice, but it's such a PITA to pull the valve cover that I usually just take a chance. If it doesn't run, pull the distributor and turn it 180 degrees. Note that it won't run at all if it's 180 out, it will make some interesting noises though as it fires with some of the intake valves open.

 

You're setting the timing with the EST disconnected, right?

 

Yes, I am setting the timing with 4 wire connector off -what a PITA to find. Last night I actually took all of your advice and got this thing timed as good as it has ever been since ive owned it(4 months)Not that the timing wasnt right - but the power results were definitely impressive. BTW, when its 180 or so off -it DOES do weird things and sounds. PS still looking for advice/thoughts on the timing tab if anyone has some. Thanks.

 

To verify the accuracy of your timing tab & dampener, you'd either use a piston stop or pull the timing cover to see the marks on the gears. Using a cam degree wheel is the most accurate.

If it's off just a little you may bend the tab slightly to make it right.
If it's far off your dampener may have slipped, or you have the wrong timing cover.