I just got done with a head and cam swap and I swear I putt eh distributer in right. When cranking my dad had to turn the distributer almost 1/4 counter clockwise and then it finally started and I kept it at that timing? i think my timing is WAY off still. Should I pull the distributer and move it a tooth? of what? Also Is clockwise advance and counter retard?

 

Only reason to pull the distributor would be if when you're adjuting it, the plugwires get tight. You'll have to be the judge of that

Advance is CCW.

You seem to be too far retarded on the timing.

 

The headers could also be red if you're running lean or have an exhaust restriction. Sorry I don't know how to correctly set the timing as that is most likely the cause.

 

Last time i saw headers glow red, was in my Z when i had the timing 20* too retarded on intial fire up.

check to see if the rotor points drirectl at #1 at TDC on #1, on the firing event.
if it is see if the cap sits righ on top of the rotor..
if it does.. the timing's proably not that far off, unless you forgot to hook the est back up.

if the timing's right.. the exhuast restricton could case that..

I'd heavily lean on the timing.. check it

 

Cam in correctly?

 

It is probably the timing. I had mine set to negitive six degrees when i initally started my car and the headers glowed red and then when I realised my mistake I moved timing to 6 degrees advance and the problem went away

 

I took my old cap and cut out the #1 terminal and placed it on the distributer so its exactly on #1 when i put my new cap on. I'll see if that works. Also my neighbo said my valves may be too tight. So i pulled the pass cover and ALL the rockers were loose. I dont get it. Also I was reading maybe its running rich since the headers were red all the way down intot he y pipe meaningn unburnt gas going down tehre. I'll check today guys thanks

 

I thought a lean mixture causes the headers to glow.

 

rich or lean condition can cause the heads to glow.

 

Don't you have a timing light? See what the heck you timed it at, my guess is it's way off.

 

Rich would cause backfire too. and popping. it sounds lean as hell, your new cam pull more vaccume than your old one? I assume since your changing your timing by turning the distributor there is no computer, and therefore it has a carb. If its a holley check your powervalves, if your vaccume is higher with a new cam unlike the old one, then its possible your old cam was letting the power valves sit open all the time at idle, but now they are shut because of your vaccume, making your car lean. this is just a shot in the dark, its what happened to me on my cam swap. other than that, if you have a stoich guage (air/fuel) you can figure it out that way. good luck.

 

the same thing happened to me when i installed a bigger cam in my elcamino. i found out after hours of swearing that it twas the valve timing. check all of the rockers for each cylinder and make sure they are set right. it worked for me and that cooled my head alot.

 

how would rich make your headers run red?

I understand unburnt fuel and everything but if you are running rich wouldn't that mean that thecar used most of the air already so not going to get anymore untill it hits the tail pipe


though check your timing and fuel mixture as everyone else ahs said