How do i fix my timing on my Chevy 350?

Question

I recently replaced my cap,rotor,wires, and plugs. After wards my truck was running worse so i decided to check the timming. When I did the line on the balancer was pointing toward the water pump. And if I moved the distributer toward the carb it would move the line toward the degree marker but it was still way off,and would start to die. How can i change the timing and is this a common thing.

Answer 1

timing is easy

remove #1 plug, bring number 1 cylinder up on top dead center compression stroke, Make certain at this point that timing mark is right on the money.

Then it just a matter of pulling distributor out and reposition rotor so that it points to number 1 on the cap .Remember that the gear on the bottom of the distributor shaft is spiral therefore you compensate when installing. At this point in time you want to make certain that the firing order is correct.

Snug distributor and try, made need a little fine tuning but you should be close, Depending on the year of your engine you should be at 8 before top dead center. I found on them older Chevy motors you can get more advancement by increasing the timing to 10 before top dead center.

Answer 2

Unless that thing was off before you started on it I wouldn't pull the distributor out. Pull the #1 plug and bring no 1 up on the compression stroke by turning the engine over with your finger in the spark plug hole. When it blows your finger off the hole it's the compression stroke. Pull the cap from the distributor and see where the rotor is. It should be pointing at #1. Also check the timing mark on the balancer, that should also be lined up pretty close. If that checks out OK then make sure the wire to #1 is in the same hole the rotor is pointing at and check the rest of the wires to be sure you have them in the right firing order. Once all that looks good fire it up and adjust the timing to spec with a timing light. If the rotor isn't right when #1 is up on compression and/or the balancer mark is way off then your distributor may have to be pulled and reset. But you should check everything before you just arbitrarily pull it. Good Luck.

Answer 3

You should get it as close as you can statically before starting it and adjusting it. When the timing mark is at TDC, the rotor should point at the contact going to plug #1. If it does not, rotate the engine once and it should be pretty close. Maybe tighten the clamp a little bit.

Be sure any vacuum hoses to the distributor are disconnected and plugged. Fire it up, loosen the clamp, point the light down there and turn the distributor until the timing mark is where it should be (several degrees BTDC) whatever the spec is. It should not need much adjusting. Hold it steady and tighten the clamp.

Answer 4

There should be a timing mark on vibration damper at the front of the engine. If the degree tab is missing you will have to estimate the timing degree position with white or yellow chalk or crayon. You should have a timing adjustment schematic on the underside of the hood. All the 350 engines are V-8. Most models are automatic trans. 1968 V-8 4 Bbl M/T = 4 deg.BTDC; 1969 V-8 4 Bbl A/T = 4 deg. BTDC; 1970 V-8 4 Bbl A/T = 4 deg; 1971 V-8 4 Bbl A/T or M/T = (4,6,8,12 deg. @ 600 RPM); 1972 and 1973: V-8 4 Bbl = 4,6,8,12 deg. via H.P; 1974 V-8, 8 deg. exc. CA. 1975 V-8 6,8 Deg.BFTDC; 1976 V-8 6,8,12 deg. exc.CA; 1977 V-8, 8 deg. exc. CA =6 deg. 1978 V-8 4,6,8 deg. Fed. or CA . 1979 V-8 6 deg; Fed.V-8 6 deg, 8 deg. CA. 1980 V-8, 6 deg.@ 500 RPM; 1980 V-8; 6 deg.@ 600 RPM, 1980 V-8, 12 deg. BTDC @700 RPM.

Answer 5

Doesn't say how old your vehicle is but I had a problem once where the rubber on the balancer came loose and was way off so you can't really trust that for timing. You just put the plugs in either one space off or got the rotation wrong.

Answer 6

Look at the crank pulley and you should see a mark on it and a stationary scale on the block. You need to find out how many degrees before or after top dead center (tdc) the distributor has to be set. You will need a timing light to be able to see the mark on the pulley while the engine is running. Loosen the distributor and align the pulley mark with the corresponding degree mark on the scale. Your engine is now in time.

Answer 7

first make sure the plugs were gaped correctly. then call the local parts store to find the correct timing. i think its 6 degrees retarded. if that doesnt work try moving the distributor slightly either way until it runs well.

Answer 8

You simply installed every plug wire into the cap counter clockwise one hole too far. Pull the plug wires and insert them clockwise one hole each in the big "HEI" cap. After you've done that time your motor.

Answer 9

make sure you have the wires in the right order. Make sure your distributor is not backwards. make sure all your vacume line are hooked up.