So I had to retime my 83 Z28 after I put my new top end together and new Distributor in, I could still read my balancers timing marks clear as day which was awesome. I set it to TDC exactly at zero on the balancer. My car starts on a dime but under very low throttle, the RPMs shoot down and usually stalls the car. Did I set my timing right using the hatmonic at 0? and could this be a vac advance issue?

 

um 0 maybe an ok place to start but its not where it should stay.
should be adjusting it as soon as it starts.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ing-notes.html

 

Also, you have to insert the distributor when balancer is on zero mark for the COMPRESSION stroke on #1 cylinder - there are two times the balancer marks meets zero - at TDC #1 compression stroke, and at TDC #1 exhaust stroke. To know which is which, you stick your finger in the #1 spark plug hole and rotate engine until you feel outwards air pressure on your finger - then you know you're on compression stroke, then you set balancer mark to zero.

 

When exactly do you stop? When the piston has reached the top? As soon as it starts to rise? Somewhere in between?

 

Hey guys thanks, I adjusted my vacuum advance and the cars moving like a dream.

Zerocyde, the easiest way to do this is to have a buddy spin the engine for you so you can feel the stroke itself. Put your finger in the hole and like it was stated above, the zero mark on the top of the balancer will be hit twice. When you feel the air rise from the plug hole of cyl 1, you know that this is the compression stroke. Right when the air stops coming out of the hole, you should be very close to the zero mark on your harmonic balancer. If you can't see the marks on your balancer just get a good feel as to where the air stops coming out of the plug hole. Right when there is no more air, you are very close to TDC

 

Perfect, thanks.