Timing on a 350?

Question

I have a crate 350 chevy motor that is having issues. It backfires through the carb and runs ok at best. This was in a truck that my buddy owned and he said "One day I noticed the distributor was bouncing on the motor and I pushed it down. This somehow caused the engine to stall. It has run like crap ever since." I've noticed that it starts just fine and will idle on its own. It only backfires through the carb when reved up. My first mission to check this is to entirely retime the engine. Sadly, I am not familiar on how to do this. Can someone lend me some instructions, or perhaps a better diagnosis?

Answer 1

The timing is out get timing light and set the timing 34 degree's 10 static run it to 2,500 to 2, 700 rpm if it keep backfiring the power valve will burn out inside the carb

Answer 2

Set the timing to 10`btdc (before top dead center) The distributor may have jumped a tooth off if it did then you need to remove #1 spark plug it's on the right side in the front of the engine if your standing in front of the truck. Have someone bump the starter over until you hear an air puff from the cyl hole you can stick a long screwdriver in the hole to see if the piston is all the way up. Then make sure the rotor button under the Dis cap is pointing to the #1 spark plug wire that is on the cap. That should do it Good luck

Answer 3

First you have to find top dead center on cylinder number 1. Then you will need to figure out which spot on the distributor cap is where number one wire plugs into plug number one. Then you will take out the bolt and tab that holds the distributor down and rotate the distributor shaft so the rotor is pointed toward cylinder number 1 on the cap, and reinstall it. Replace the "Y" shaped tab and tighten it back down. Start the engine and re-time it with a timing light. Make sure everything is bolted down and tight. You are one your way! (Unless your timing chain is stretched and needs to be replaced, { you'll know that after you are done.})

Answer 4

Here is a cut and dry procedure from Autozone.
Scroll down a bit for section on "engine that has been cranked with distributor removed". This is the best way to 'start from scratch' on setting timing.

See below...it's not that hard. Just takes time.

Answer 5

TO SET THE TIMING ON A CARBUREATED 350 YOU HAVE TO UNPLUG THE VACUUM ADVANCE ON THE DISTRIBUTOR AND PLUG THE VACUUM LINE THEN HOOK UP YOUR TIMING LIGHT AND SET THE TIMING TO APX. 10 DEG. BTDC, ALTHOUGH THIS CAN BE A WASTE OF TIME IF YOU HAVE AN OLD HARMONIC BALANCER THAT THE OUTER RING HAS SHIFTED THEN YOU JUST HAVE TO TIME IT BY EAR.

Answer 6

may not be it, but replace the rotor "bug"----super cheap, and the main weak point on HEIs ---------- if all else fails [and even if they don't] adjust those valves