I put a 6-1/4" fluidamper harmonic balancer on my 85 camaro with a 305 tpi engine. Now for the problem, the timng indicator is on the drivers side of the block at the two o'clock position where they typically are, but when I put a timing light on the engine the timing mark is in the 12 o'clock position. I have the brown wire disconnected so I know that isn't the problem. When the number one piston is top dead center the timing mark lines up with the indicator then so I know the timing mark is in the right position. What could it be, is my distributer off a couple of teeth??? The car runs fine otherwise???

 

I don't know for shure but as I understand there are different positions for the timing marks on the same size dampaners. It is just something to take into concideration

 

Ummm...you sure the timing light is one the #1 spark plug? Sure you're seeing the timing mark and not something else? Sure the timing light's even good? Being off that much, I doubt that a small block Chevy would run. I seriously doubt it would run well. I'd check the timing light. Are you sure you aren't getting knock retard and the proper jumper is disconnected? It's a possability that the damper is off, especially if it was installed with a hammer and it is not one piece. Check EVERYTHING before making adjustments...if it runs well, it shouldn't be off more than 15 degrees or so. Somethings wrong here. I agree with the above post, make sure they gave you the right one, some use different covers and are degreed differently.

[This message has been edited by dhirocz (edited May 01, 2001).]

 

One piece damper. Checked timing mark to timing indicator relationship with head off of the engine, front drivers side piston toped out in the cylinder and they lined up perfectly. Checked timing with three different timing lights, two of them brand new, all three were hooked up to front plug on drivers side, thats why it bothers me so much.

 

Damn, that's a good one. I wonder if something in the distributor is amiss? Sure there's no cross-firing or anything like that? All wires not touching, all routed properly from distributor to plugs? Posible 2 wires are crossed.

[This message has been edited by dhirocz (edited May 01, 2001).]

 

If the balancer lines up properly when it's not running, I'd say you have a problem elsewhere. It has to be electrical, not mechanical.

 

ALSO keep this in mind (I have a Fluidampr) ...

The fluidampr has a ZERO point marked as '0'. It has degree marks for 10 degrees in each direction: LEFT of 0 is ATDC and RIGHT of 0 is BTDC. I have found that the timing needs to be set by using the '0' mark on the timing tab and the degree marks to the RIGHT of the '0' mark on the Fluidampr.

When I originally installed my Fluidampr I was using the timing marks to the LEFT of the '0' on the Fluidampr and couldn't get the engine to run right. That's because by using those marks I was retarding the timing by almost 20 degrees. Use the timing marks to the RIGHT of Fluidampr '0' mark and use the '0' mark on the timing tab.

Tim

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TRAXION's 1990 IROC-Z
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