How do I know if my car is 180 degress out of timing?

Question

the engine is a 283 from a 67 impala that has points in the distrib..

Answer 1

So much for all these so called "trained technicians"......The motor will run if 180 out but not well. I have done this simply to proove a point and get a few bucks. It will NOT dammage the engine. Many of the people on here do not have a clue and answer out of ignorance. You need to check anything you have removed or replaced (cam, distributor, etc.) If everything checks out well then the problem is most likely in the ignition. While you are in it I would recomend changing the points over to electronic. You can get a kit from Pertronix to do this that is much more reliable and doesn't change the under hood appearance of the motor. If you need any more info contact me.

Answer 2

Start from Scratch: Unhook the battery. Remove the drivers side valve cover and all spark plugs. The number one cylinder is at the very front, drivers side. Hand crank the engine (big socket, breaker bar) clockwise until the number one intake valve (the one NOT directly above the exhuast manifold) just closes and you can see the piston at TDC (top dead center). Look in the plug hole with a flashlight or us a pencil to follow the piston up to TDC. Run it around a few times if you don't get it at first. The timing mark on the front pulley will also line up close at the same time. When you're sure #1 is at TDC, drop your distributor in so that the points adjustment window is straight ahead and the rotor points to the #1 position on the distributor cap (just counter clockwise of the window). Then, repeat this mantra: 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 over and over. You, as a Chevy guy need to know this. Its your timing order. Your plug wires go in that order clockwise around the cap. 1357 are on the drivers side front to back, 2468 are on the passengers side, front to back. Easy, no? If you get this right, and your engine gas compression, fuel and spark, it WILL fire and run well enough to get a timing light on. Good luck and remember the mantra!!!

Answer 3

Robert Y does not know what he is talking about the SBC engines are not interference engines i dont know why he believes this though


and also contrary to popular opinion on here chevy v-8 engines do run when the timing is 180 out,. but not correctly,

the firing order on SBC engines is 18436572

you would be able to tell if its not right if you set #1 to the top of the compression stroke and if the rotor is pointing at the #6 wire tower then it is 180 out

move the wires around 180 so that the #1 wire is on the tower that the rotor is pointing at,

or go ahead and move the wires 180 around the cap anyways and see if it runs right,

if not then youre either not 180 out or something else is the problem


good luck

Answer 4

You talking about distributor? If it was apart, and you are trying to get it sarted and you had #1 cyl on top dead center, and now it backfires alot when you try to start it, lift the distrib up and turn it 1/2 a turn(180) degrees, it should then start if the wires are on correctly as the 18436572 firing order.

Answer 5

i had a 67 chevy caprice once.it might be your points slipped.if its 180 out then it will kick back with you while your trying to start it or sometimes it will back fire.mine had a 327,but a 283 is a damn good engine and hard to come by.

Answer 6

One thing to look for with an old Chevy is the little window that slides open for adjusting the points with an allen wrench. You should be able to see it from the front of the engine if it is pointing at the firewall you might have an issue

Answer 7

If it is 180 out of timing it will not run plus on the slim chance that it did run it would bend all your valves due to that in 1967 there were no non interference engines, you need to remove the timing cover and check the timing marks or use a timing light. but if you are unsure of what you are doing, Please take this to a mechanic skilled in this nature , This could ruin your engine

Answer 8

If it is 180 out it will not run, but will backfire through the carb. If you go to top dead center on number one cylinder (valve cover off), you can see if the intake valve opens first or the exhaust valve. If it is ready to fire on #1 the exhaust should be the next valve open.

Answer 9

if its that far out,it wont run at all that's one sure sign of it being out,on a Chevy if it gets that far out it shouldn't run,,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 10

if it fires the opposite that it should.might make sense if it is ...ase tech