Timing reading way off...
#1
Timing reading way off...
I have a 1971 Cutlass with a 350 in it. It has had an HEI distributor installed on it. I checked the timing with a timing light and followed the tune up procedure. The initial timing at 1100 RPM is reading at nearly 50 degrees advanced. I thought this was super crazy so tried backing it off closer to spec and the engine started running awfully. I'm not sure what to do about it and am completely stumped. I wanted to try and adjust the carb on it to remedy an off idle/part throttle cruise stumble it has, but figured I ought to check the timing first. Any ideas what may be going on? I already thought maybe the dampener had slipped, but that's the only thing I can think of...
#2
What HEI do you have, stock GM or ?? What timing light are you using? Why are you checking timing at 1100 rpm? Was the vacuum advance disconnected? What carb is on the engine? You might as well find TDC for #1 cylinders compression stroke and determine if in fact your harmonic balancer actually slipped.
#3
I have a 1971 Cutlass with a 350 in it. It has had an HEI distributor installed on it. I checked the timing with a timing light and followed the tune up procedure. The initial timing at 1100 RPM is reading at nearly 50 degrees advanced. I thought this was super crazy so tried backing it off closer to spec and the engine started running awfully. I'm not sure what to do about it and am completely stumped. I wanted to try and adjust the carb on it to remedy an off idle/part throttle cruise stumble it has, but figured I ought to check the timing first. Any ideas what may be going on? I already thought maybe the dampener had slipped, but that's the only thing I can think of...
#4
What HEI do you have, stock GM or ?? What timing light are you using? Why are you checking timing at 1100 rpm? Was the vacuum advance disconnected? What carb is on the engine? You might as well find TDC for #1 cylinders compression stroke and determine if in fact your harmonic balancer actually slipped.
Last edited by cljolley; April 11th, 2017 at 07:52 AM.
#5
The engine won't run at 50 deg advanced, so obviously something is wrong. I assume you are checking timing with the vac advance disconnected and plugged. It's easy to verify if the mark on the balancer is correct or not. Remove the No. 1 plug and use a dial indicator or other device to place the piston at TDC and check the balancer scribe mark.
And should I plug the vacuum nipple on just the carb (as I did), or does the advance module nipple need capped too? I just figured disconnecting it and plugging the vacuum source on the carburetor was sufficient.
#6
There was no HEI in 71 so the stock timing setting are N/A. When you declined the timing did you also increase the idle speed setting so the engine can stay running? Try setting your timing at 16 degrees BTDC @ 750-800 rpm. Your timing light was hooked to the #1 spark plug (front drivers side)?
#7
Does an aftermarket camshaft affect the timing requirements for the engine?
Last edited by cljolley; April 11th, 2017 at 08:02 AM.
#8
Your distributor is a large cap HEI right? Your car came originally with points and a points distributor has a different timing curve and amount of mechanical advance than an HEI. Therefore the original settings don't apply anymore unless the HEI had been modified to points type settings which is highly doubtful. After setting it to 16-18* BTDC @ 750-800 rpm, you'll need to readjust your carb a/f mixture screws.
Give this a read:
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/hei.htm
Give this a read:
http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/hei.htm
#9
It kinda depends upon the cam. Tailoring the timing curve can optimize performance, and increasing the initial can smooth out a rough idle due to a radical camshaft.
#10
edit: Another thing I just thought of is someone may have installed the lightest springs in the advance mechanism. If so, there is likely mechanical advance coming in at 1100 RPM, and it could be a significant amount. Try checking the initial timing at a much lower RPM, or try checking the total at ~3000RPM.
Last edited by Fun71; April 11th, 2017 at 05:22 PM.
#11
So you have regular non-dial back timing light, an aftermarket balancer with degree markings, and the factory timing tab. Are you using the "0" mark on the timing tab when measuring the initial?
edit: Another thing I just thought of is someone may have installed the lightest springs in the advance mechanism. If so, there is likely mechanical advance coming in at 1100 RPM, and it could be a significant amount. Try checking the initial timing at a much lower RPM, or try checking the total at ~3000RPM.
edit: Another thing I just thought of is someone may have installed the lightest springs in the advance mechanism. If so, there is likely mechanical advance coming in at 1100 RPM, and it could be a significant amount. Try checking the initial timing at a much lower RPM, or try checking the total at ~3000RPM.
#12
Factory balancer, aftermarket timing tape, and it is way off. Sounds a lot like the balancer has slipped so best bet would be to make sure where the balancer hub lines up with the piston at verified TDC. If it is way off with everything verified, get a new one and start over. Tune it by ear for now because anything else is useless if the parts are not performing correctly.
#14
They do move freely and are not damaged. I did however order a new ignition tune up kit with new springs and weights. I'm going to check TDC marks for accuracy, install the new components, and try to set the timing one last time. I also double checked the firing order as well just to be sure. I can't find anything wrong. I will keep you all posted.
#15
If your timing is as you say, first thing you need to check is if #1 tdc vs timing mark on the balancer is correct. If the balancer slips you have no way of stting your timing correctly and your chancing it coming apart and damaging things.
#16
If your balancer has slipped, you can create your own mark for TDC if you can accurately determine true TDC. Just use a permanent marker to draw a new line across the balancer.
(I'm surprised at how many times folks mention a balancer slipping, how often does this actually happen??)
(I'm surprised at how many times folks mention a balancer slipping, how often does this actually happen??)
#18
read through this thread I started a couple years back.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-mild-cam.html
You'll want to make sure you balancer hasn't slipped(there's a inner and outer ring, and the grooves should line up. Make sure your timing tab looks right(I should end at 14 or 16 degrees, and make sure the bolt on the balancer is tight ( I had this problem when I thought I had 50* timing initially).
Also, when you unplug the vacuum advance, plug the line! There's also photo's of my stock timing tab, it's dirty, but does yours look like that? Cause it should. If it doesn't, someone might have swapped tabs and it might not be reading right.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-mild-cam.html
You'll want to make sure you balancer hasn't slipped(there's a inner and outer ring, and the grooves should line up. Make sure your timing tab looks right(I should end at 14 or 16 degrees, and make sure the bolt on the balancer is tight ( I had this problem when I thought I had 50* timing initially).
Also, when you unplug the vacuum advance, plug the line! There's also photo's of my stock timing tab, it's dirty, but does yours look like that? Cause it should. If it doesn't, someone might have swapped tabs and it might not be reading right.
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