Once I realized the way the distributor rotated it fired right up. Couple things that need to be addressed. Going by the timing tab with 0, 5 and 10 degrees it looks to be running about 17 degrees. When I try to retarded it it dies, could it be a tooth off and which way would I turn it? Second it pops out the exhaust on the right bank, are these related? Ready to drive it once we get this figured out.

 

I believe the stock tab should go 4-0-4-8-12, reading from driver side to passenger side. Mine is timed @ 12 degrees. Clockwise to retard and counter clockwise to advance. The problem I had was not enough advance, the E-Brock intake manifold was getting in the way of the bottom of the distributor. After re stabbing, I ended up moving all my wires clockwise one position, retarding alittle and she's purring now! This worked for me but I'm positive there are many other members who will weigh in that have forgotten more than I will ever know.

Bill

 

[I Mine must not be stock because it definitely says 0, 5 , 10. Still needing some advice.

 

Popping and/or backfiring are signs of stuck or sticky valves.
Remove the covers and use a rubber mallet Lightly on the stems.
If you have one stuck, you'll find it. Also a good time to clean the crud
out of the oil return holes at the ends of the head. Good luck with her.

No need to remove the rocker assembly unless you want. The popping
also could be a broken aluminum bridge, easy fix.

 

Aluminum bridge? The motor is a new rebuild, less than a year ago. How would a couple blows to a valve do anything that running it wouldn't do? Thanks for any advice, hope to have it going this weekend.

 

The bridge is that bracket between the rockers. Did you have your valves and heads done too on the rebuild? I'm about 45 minutes from ya, I know an excellent machine shop down in Rancho Cordova.

Bill

 

I might have an extra tab lying around the garage, could work something out; got any interior stuff for a 68 floating around?

 

What distributor? If it is an HEI, try base. Either get a later timing pointer or dial back timing light. Timing is timing, no such thing as a tooth off. Now it is possible your balancer has slipped and reading incorrectly.

 

Got it. 1/8 pipe plug missing from right side of manifold, that's what happens when you get in a rush. Thanks for all the advice. Glad it was something stupid yet simple.