Dizzy is way off

[hinkv10]

I'm working out all the weird stuff the po did to my truck and ran across something interesting. I don't know much about distributors but I've done a bunch of research on the net. I have an adjustable timing light and the vac advance is unplugged/capped off. When you set the timing light to 0 and you are standing in front of the truck, it fires over a 10 oclock. I've always seen it fire around 1-2 pm. When I turn the timing light to 60 degrees advance it is around that 1-2pm mark. I have no timing pointer so I'll have to find tdc for #1 and then pull the distributor and set it correctly.

I am safe to assume the distributor was put in wrong? The spark plug wires appear to be installed correctly, #1 is in the dr side front position. I've learning a bit and I guess I could move the wires over one position and that would most likely correct my strange timing position.

Any advice on finding tdc by yourself. I have the valve cover off but it isn't as obvious as I was thinking. This might also be the reason I am having so much trouble getting the idle down. I want that lumpy sound.

 

[89Suburban]

Is this a TBI or carb motor?

 

[smurph20]

Pics please.

 

[Jims86]

Is this a TBI or carb motor?

Should be TBI, unless its been messed with.

 

[89Suburban]

Should be TBI, unless its been messed with.

Then maybe he forgot to unplug that brown advance wire? I am confused because he mentioned plugging the vac line to the advance?

 

[hinkv10]

Sorry, it was originally tbi but was converted back to carb. I will take some pics tomm

 

[Jims86]

Sorry, it was originally tbi but was converted back to carb. I will take some pics tomm

Thats your problem.

 

[hinkv10]

what do you mean?

 

[hinkv10]

Then engine is a replacement and has a mechanical fuel pump. I'm assuming the distributor was changed as well. I'm home now, let me see if I can take some pics

 

[89Suburban]

Goodness gracious..

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Jims86]

Then engine is a replacement and has a mechanical fuel pump. I'm assuming the distributor was changed as well. I'm home now, let me see if I can take some pics

Just re read your first post. Sounds like they put an earlier engine in, if you have a manual pump. pics of the engine and distributor will definately help

 

[hinkv10]

ok I got this pretty much sorted out. The distributor was put in correctly, I didn't have to remove it. The engine is a 305 from a 84. I pulled the fan and shroud and was able to clean up the front of the engine. There was a ton of gunk all over the timing pointer and I was looking at it from the wrong angle.

I found top dead center by a slightly different method. I turned the engine over and watched when the #1 cylinder valves moved. I marked on the distributor where the intake and exhaust valves started to move and spun the engine until it was right in the middle of those two marks. I checked the timing pointer and it was right on with the timing mark. I had the vac advance capped off and set the timing to 14 degrees.

I think that is a little too advanced but I'm wondering why the truck runs so well when set to 30 degrees. I thought that it would ping and detonate being that far advanced at idle but it runs well. I was playing around and tried it again.

What are you guys setting your trucks at? I plugged in the vac line to the vac advance and it only advances the timing to 18 degrees, maybe 20 when I rev it. I'll have to see if the vac advance is adjustable. It looks old by the surface rust on it, if I have to I'll get another one. Sorry for the long rant but I had a lot of fun today playing around with "Betsy".

 

[Jims86]

ok I got this pretty much sorted out. The distributor was put in correctly, I didn't have to remove it. The engine is a 305 from a 84. I pulled the fan and shroud and was able to clean up the front of the engine. There was a ton of gunk all over the timing pointer and I was looking at it from the wrong angle.

I found top dead center by a slightly different method. I turned the engine over and watched when the #1 cylinder valves moved. I marked on the distributor where the intake and exhaust valves started to move and spun the engine until it was right in the middle of those two marks. I checked the timing pointer and it was right on with the timing mark. I had the vac advance capped off and set the timing to 14 degrees.

I think that is a little too advanced but I'm wondering why the truck runs so well when set to 30 degrees. I thought that it would ping and detonate being that far advanced at idle but it runs well. I was playing around and tried it again.

What are you guys setting your trucks at? I plugged in the vac line to the vac advance and it only advances the timing to 18 degrees, maybe 20 when I rev it. I'll have to see if the vac advance is adjustable. It looks old by the surface rust on it, if I have to I'll get another one. Sorry for the long rant but I had a lot of fun today playing around with "Betsy".

6 degrees for an 84
Both valves should be closed and timing pointer on 0 for top dead center.

 

[hinkv10]

Both valves should be closed and timing pointer on 0 for top dead center.[/QUOTE]

Yes, thank you. I was convinced that the timing was off but found top dead center and it was right on with the timing mark.