Hey guys.
im trying to get this thing running and im haveing a small problem setting the timeing. I have disconected the est connector at the firewall as well. It will start and run but when i use a timeing gun to set the timeing it looks like its showing 160 even though it sounds like its running ok. Any help would be awsome.

 

Am I the only one who kinda flipped out on this picture wondering how the picture came out backwards? only to realize that he is from Australia and it is a left hand drive car? I never actually seen the engine bay in reverse like that, lol.

 

You mean RH drive.

OP. Do you mean 160 degrees or 16 degrees??? if you meant 16 degrees then you need to set your timing gun to 16 degrees and check again. With your timing gun set to base timing of 16 degrees you should see "0" on your balancer.

 

I can not tell what # spark plug you are connected to but you are on the correct side of the engine (I see your red timing light pick clamp) #1 spark plug is closest to the alternator.
If you are on #1 spark plug and still see 160 degrees, maybe they reversed the #1 position on the Australian made V8s.
Even the toilets spin opposite direction down under LOL. Try connecting to the USA #2 spark plug position #2 plug is closest to the air conditioning compressor.

An OEM balancer would just have have a reference line for "0" but it sounds like you have a fully degreed balancer.
If you are in fact your are on #1 plug and firing order/ engine rotation is same as USA. the only other things I can think is your balancer outer shell has slid from the inner shell so you have inaccurate timing marks or the balancer marks were manufactured wrong.

You can try to set #1 to TDC and make your own reference line on the balancer which would be your "0", but it's funny that your timing is off by 160 degrees since 20 degrees of base timing would not be unusual and 30-36 of total timing is pretty normal.

Operator error or defective balancer.

 

The firing order and cylinder numbering on a Chevrolet engine won't change just because it's on the opposite side of world... LOL!

We need to know if it's truly 160 degrees, or 16* he meant. Number 1 plug is still on the left front of the engine.
ZZ6, does that have fast burn heads?
What camshaft?
This engine may only want 10-14 degrees of initial, and 32 total degrees. Will most likely need a chip burned and custom tuned.

 

I checked TDC before i put the distributer in and the mark on the balancer was spot on. The gun is showing me 160 at 750rpm. Strange because its ideling fine. Its a zz6 crate engine so its made in the usa. Not sure if it would be possible to stuff up the fireing order on the dizzy and it still start and idle ok. Between this and my rhd header issue im haveing a bugger of a time getting this car over the finish line

 

If you checked TDC on the balancer as you say, then you should be good there. Doesn't hurt to double check that the plug wires on the distributor are connected to the correct cylinders in the correct firing order. Also, are you 100% sure your timing light is connected to #1 cylinder spark plug wire (most forward cylinder on alternator-side of engine)?

 

Can you post a picture of your timing light, specifically the dial area if its a dial equipped timing light?
Maybe it's a case of misunderstanding of the terms we're using to communicate.

 

If the engine is happy, it doesn't matter whether you're happy with the "number", or not.