Ok, here's the deal. Here is the engine number: V0318CLH Which when I look it up tells me that it is a 305 TPI out of a 91 Firebird, which matches the valve covers since they have center bolts, which I would assume means that the heads are also from the 91 Firebird. Now this engine was converted to carburated prior to me owning it. When I do an overall of the engine, I find that the rods from a 91 Firebird are shorter than the ones in the car and I have to get the rods from an 84 305 to match the rods that are currently in it. So I put in a new cam, timing gears, rods and rockers. On my old timing cover the timing gauge was at 12:00 and on the new cover it is at more like 2:00, so I am guessing I got a different timing cover, even though it fits. Also when I lined up the timing marks on the cam and crank gear at 0*, the mark on the harmonic balance was at 12:00. I am having a hard time keeping it idleing and timing it and I am wondering if anyone knows which gauge I should use? The 12:00 or 2:00? Also, what would keep it from idleing, if I manage the carb by hand or from the drivers seat I can keep it running. One more note, the car has been sitting since about October with a full gas tank, and I added some Octane boost just this week. I am just not sure whether to blame the bad gas, or timing, or something else. There does not appear to be any vacuum leaks and it ran fine last October. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge, so I am not sure about the fuel pressure.

 

Start with timing. The harmonic damper and timing tab need to be of the same type. Sounds like you already know they aren't. If you try to set the timing using the mark on the damper and lining it up with the timing tab, your timing will be horribly retarded. You can either get a bolt-on timing tab for the 12 o'clock position to match your damper, or you can get a new damper that has the timing mark more in line with the crank keyway.

By "rods", I assume you mean "pushrods". Usually "rods" is used to refer to the piston connecting rods. If the engine has roller lifters, you need the shorter pushrods. If the engine has flat tappet lifters, you need the longer pushrods like the '84 had. Since you said you replaced the cam and lifters, I'm betting you used a flat tappet cam. If you took out roller lifters to do that, I'd say you made a poor choice, but that's just my opinion.

 

No, you are right. They were pushrods and they were not the roller lifters. So it seems that the inside of the engine is an 84 or at least 86 or earlier, but the engine block is out of the 91. Maybe they changed from the roller to the flat tappet at some point? I am only guessing here of course. Thanks for the info, I am working with the timing, like you said, still have not gotten it to idle correctly yet. If you have any other suggestions, let me know. Thanks!

 

my car is idling at around 800.... idk how off that is lol

 

I assume a healthy idle is about 1000-1200