WEIRD timing issues!?!?

[UnderdogGN]

hi all, decided to check and set my timing the today and something is going on that is kind of weird...My car will only run and idle smooth/well with 20+ degrees of timing??? lol anything less will cause a terrible idle and cause it to shut off. Its been at set at this for a long time and there is no detonation so i think its fine but why are my numbers so far off? By the way its 20+ degrees according the stock timing pointer, but reads 0 degrees on my aftermarket ATI timing pointer. (a bit shorter than stock)
any ideas?
thanks in advance!

 

[68keyblr]

If you still have the stock harmonic balancer, it's likely that it's slipped over the years, giving you a false reading.

you can check this by pulling the passenger side valve cover and bring the engine up to top dead center - you can tell when both valves on #1 cylinder are closed. You can pull the spark plug on the #1 cylinder and put long wooden dowel in the spark plug hole to help you verify when the piston at the very top of its travel.

Then, look at the timing mark on the balancer - the pointer should be pointing at 0

Good luck

 

[795.0pacecar]

Try unplugging the spout connector, then set it.

 

[UnderdogGN]

thanks guys....i will check the TDC deal out to see if its off and the i always take the spout connector out when messing with timing.

 

[68keyblr]

Try unplugging the spout connector first (easy). Hopefully that's the problem.

Let us know how it turns out...good luck

 

[93lxdm78]

Do you need to remove the vavle cover to check tdc Isn't there an easier way like just removing the spark plug and using a dowel ?

 

[68keyblr]

Do you need to remove the vavle cover to check tdc Isn't there an easier way like just removing the spark plug and using a dowel ?

The dowel method by itself doesn't work becuase you don't know if the piston is on the exhaust stroke or the compression stroke.

If you don't want to pull the valve cover, you can remove the #1 spark plug and have someone bump the starter while you keep your finger over the spark plug hole. You'll feel when it's coming up to TDC because the air pressure on your finger will be alot higher than on an exhaust stroke. Just keep an eye on the timing pointer and this will get you close.

 

[ninety15.0]

Dont take the valve cover off...just take the plug out and stick your finger over the plug hole while you crank the motor over. You will hear/feel the pressure when the piston is on the compression stroke. Taking the VC off will take too much time!!!! Check for 0 on the timing pointer when # 1 is at TDC and then check that the rotor is pointing to # 1 on the cap! If not you either have a spun balancer or the dizzy is off a tooth! good luck man