My engine is driving me insane.

I have 305 heads on a 350 block and getting the timing where I want is not happening.

If I set it to 0, it acts like the timing is too fast and turns over slow a couple times before turning over fast enough to start.

I retarded the timing to 6 or 8 (after TDC) I think, but I'm not exactly sure because I know where 0 is, but could not read the other numbers. Does anyone have a picture of the timing plate thingy so I can show about where it's at? My car was running crappy, so I had to do something. At least it doesn't act like the timing is way too fast now when I try to start it. I was worried about ruining the starter or battery.

After setting it to 6-8 (I think) after TDC, I didn't have much trouble with it as far as running smooth and idling while sitting still, but it did some strange things after driving it that it didn't do before.

If I had to let off the gas pedal when coming to a stop or going down a hill, the engine would hunt (surge up and down) for idle and even stalled a couple times.

It did this for quite a few minutes and then was fine. I don't know if it had something to do with engine temp?

Anyway, it now doesn't start as quick as it should, but the engine turns over fast now. When it's turning over, it will crank a few times (fast) and sound like it's trying to start and then finally starts, so I'm assuming I need to advance it slightly.

I'm wondering what the optimal setting would be since I assume the extra compression is having an affect, or does it even matter? It got too dang cold outside to try and get it a little closer to 0 without it dragging to start, so I said the heck with it and will wait until it's a little warmer. My uncle has the timing light, so I can use it anytime I need.

I did unplug the wire between the heater box and strut tower when setting it because I've read that a million times here! lol

But having the 305 heads and the compression differences has me wondering because of what it does at 0. I don't dare try to advance it! Something screwed up?

The timing plate thingy was not changed and is the original from the 93 truck block. I do remember it being slightly different from what was on the last engine, so perhaps that has something to do with it?

The way it was, it was drinking gas like an elephant and was not real smooth. I noticed the mileage was better going home. I live about 15 miles from my uncle and it was using around 1/4 of a tank, but only used maybe 1/8 going home.

 

Have you made sure that the outter ring of your balancer has not moved. They are only pressed onto rubber and can move making it hard to time.

Like your AirWolf/Simpsons BTW!

 

I'll check into that.

Not many people know what the sig is other than The Simpsons. lol

 

just curious . Is your knock sensor hooked up or can you verify its working correctly? I would check for codes too. You should be able to get it to where it wont knock, and then it should run fine.

 

As far as I know it is.

I have another one I can try, but I have to wait until the weather warms up a bit.

It's acting goofy. Sometimes it does the strange idle where it stalls and other times it doesn't.

Sometimes when I start it, it misses like hell until it's warmed up and other times it runs smooth on a cold start and runs good the whole day.

Intermittent problems suck.

 

On a related note, are you sure that your dampener and your timing tab match? Some have the mark so its at 12 oclock angle (some maybe all of our stock engines), some at about 2 (classic sbc style, typical aftermarket timing tabs).

You might want to get your hands on a piston stop tool to verify and possibly redraw the line in the right place.

 

The tall tube on the tab us under the mount for or the actual power steering pump itself. I'll check it tomorrow to be sure.

I was able to get another cooling fan and switch, so I'm going to attempt to change them tomorrow if the weather will allow me.

I also need my son to take the rear tires off for me so I can find out which one has a broken belt. The car is bouncing all over the place at slow speeds and the rear tires are at least 8 years old and both front tires already went bad, so I'll have to put the spare on until I can get another 16". I'm only using 225/60/16's right now because I can't afford anything wider. lol They have a hard time sealing because of how wide the rims are. My uncle scared the kaka out of me by using the gasoline method. It worked, but still scared me.

I'm going to meet up with someone in a couple days who has an actual 16" donut spare for $20!