If I had a intake manifold leak, would that prevent me from getting the engine timed correctly? I do have exhaust smoke coming up from the back of the engine when I first start it up. Then after a few minutes it goes away. At first I assumed it was coming from my exhaust flange on the end of the header since it wasn't tight enough
What happened is I changed my engine and now I'm trying to get it timed. But I can not get the timing notch on the balancer anywhere near the timing marks. The notch is at least 4" past the timing marks, and if I try to get it anywhere close to the timing marks the engine dies. It does take forever to get the car started, but once it does start it seems to idle fine. I don't know how it is driving though, I don't have plates for it yet. I took the balancer off too but it didn't look like it had slipped.

 

Where did your balancer and timing cover come from?

 

Sounds like your balancer has spun. Seen it many times. Shut it off and bring it up to TDC on #1. The mark on balancer should be on 0 degrees. I bet you find it is way off from the 0 degree mark. Hope this helps. Of course it could be "other" things, but this is a relatively common problem, and would be the first thing I would look at.

-Rikki

 

I don't know, it came with engine

Ya, I'm going to give that try, thanks

 

I cant even find the timing mark on my car... -.-

 

I forgot all about this post. It did end being a spun balancer though.

 

Nice! I'd imagine you got it replaced and got your timing dialed in?

 

Ya I got it timed. Still got the old one on though.