question about timing on my 289

[83GT289]

I figured i would post this here since the 5.0 guys mainly focus on 302's. I bought my 83 GT from an old friend. It's powered by a 1966 289 block with 302 heads. All the internals are new. Forged rods and pistons etc...
When my friend put the motor together he must have done something wrong. When i hook up a timing light to the lead plug wire the timing marks are not visible. As you start advancing they come into view. Once it reaches TDC it's idling very rough with some spark knock. Advancing beyond the TDC mark at all and the car will hardly run, and barely turn over after you shut it down. For the engine to run smooth the timing is way retarded. This is according to the timing marks/pointer. Obviously the timing pointer/marks are way off but why??? I thought some of you classic buffs might have some insight for me.

J.

 

[fastcoupe68]

Is the balancer from the 289 motor or is it from the motor that was in the car, there are two different places where the timing pointer could be also. I just think you might have something mismatched somewhere in the balancer timing pointer area.

 

[my66coupe]

How old is the balancer? when the rubber ring goes bad, they slip and throw off your timing marks.

Mike

Ps. look at the balancer and see if there are cracks or even chunks missing from the ring.

 

[10secgoal]

Also, if you didn't put the lead on the #1 cylinder wire. I realize you may have put it on what SHOULD BE #1. But if the distributor was dropped in wrong, it wouldn't be, what you thought it was. Bring the motor to top dead center on the compression stroke ( Both valves closed ) and see if the rotor is pointed to where you place the lead wire. If not, the palce where it points is your new #1, or you can re-stab it.

 

[83GT289]

The balancer is from the 289. I'm not sure if he bought it new when he did the build or not but it's in great shape. Rubber seems to be good and everything. I think the pointer is in the correct location. When the car "sounds" like it's timed close the timing marks on the balancer are allmost underneath the car. I suppose the dist. could have been dropped in wrong, but then it wouldn't run unless you could twist it enough to get it run right correct? I mean, the number 1 cylinder will allways be the number 1 cylinder right? Thanks for the tips guys, please keep comin with 'em.

J.

 

[83GT289]

Ok, on closer inspection the rubber in the balancer is a bit worn. I can even wiggle the outer ring a tiny bit. I'm guessing it has slipped from the original position.

Any ideas on what i can replace it with without breaking the bank? This is not a race engine. Anything OEM type should be fine.

J.

 

[rbohm]

summit racing has some good balancers avaiable for not too much money. as i recall they have one for under $100

 

[candy-a-Mach1]

Any ideas on what i can replace it with without breaking the bank? This is not a race engine. Anything OEM type should be fine.

J.

This place has done me right several times. About $60 I think.

http://www.dscmotorsport.com/

 

[83GT289]

Thanks for the link candy-a-Mach1. Are those new or used equipment?

What about these guys? They have alot of balancers priced from $79+
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&tc=photo&item=7944729877&category=33616

The one in the link looks nice. I found some on summit also but i'm not sure exactly what i'm looking for for a 289.

Thanks for the advise.

J.