This is following my no start problem. (which I fixed w/ a new cap & rotor, but I noticed the hold down clamp was loose) I checked the timing tonight, and w/ the EST disconnected it says 20°. I could get it to 12° but then lower than that, it dies. Signs of a worn timing chain? jeeez, I know I love this car but why doesn't it love back?

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Stock 2.8 MPFI auto w/ Flowmaster 80 Series, More to come......
Pioneer DEH-11
Targa E-910 7-Band Equalizer w/ crossover
2x 10" Pioneer subs powered by 300 Watt Jensen amp
2- 6x9" Pioneer (rear)
More to come..... (hey, i dont got a job yet)

 

Umm I have mine set to 16BDC with that EST thing disengauged and it runs fine.

 

It could be that the mark on your balancer has moved; the outer ring is separated from the inner hub by a piece of rubber. When the rubber gets old, it deteriorates, and wants to eject itself from the balancer. My original balancer's rubber was sticking out the side!

Bring #1 up to TDC on the compression stroke (verify with a long phillip's head screwdriver thru the spark plug hole of cylinder #1, front PASS side). Then, check out the balancer mark. It should be at zero on the timing scale; if it's not, the balancer's bad.

I've heard of a few 2.8's like this, though... they could be set to 12 advance, but at 10 advance (stock spec), they'd die. The balancer is the only thing I can think of (unless your stock timing chain skipped a tooth!!).


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)