Emergency Timing Help Needed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crm318 · 12-21-2009, 04:22 PM

Im helping out a buddy of mine put new plugs, wires, cap and rotor in his 79 Bonanza. The distributor was so loose that it could spin with the slightest of touch. I pulled all of the wires off and put the new ones in (along with all of the other mentioned items). When I go to start the truck, it makes slight popping sounds and sometimes it will make a shotgun blast sound (I thought my eardrum was busted). This is all while moving the distributor back and forth. I made sure it was on TDC with the distributor cap off and the rotor on the number 1. I also know that the wires are on correctly and in the right firing order of 18436572. What can I do at this point. Its an emergency because I have to leave my friend in a few hours and I dont want to leave him stranded.

jablack · 12-21-2009, 04:29 PM

Make sure the distibutor isn't 180 degrees out.

extd56 · 12-21-2009, 05:06 PM

Pull the number 1 plug and turn it over until you feel compression in the hole and see where the rotor is at. You should see it at number 1 and see the timing markes on the harmonic damper. Hope this helps.

Sinister · 12-21-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jablack

Make sure the distibutor isn't 180 degrees out.

Sounds 180 out to me too. Pull the drivers side valve cover the intake and exhaust valves for #1 cylinder should both be closed at TDC for #1.

cdowns · 12-21-2009, 05:37 PM

there are two TDC on each cylinder compression stroke and exhaust stroke thats why the dizzy probally aint right// if you want to attempt tuneups a sevice manual is what the pros rely on

Richard H. · 12-21-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

there are two TDC on each cylinder compression stroke and exhaust stroke thats why the dizzy probally aint right// if you want to attempt tuneups a sevice manual is what the pros rely on

REALLY ? my stuff only has one on each

Check your manual...

Hottrucks · 12-21-2009, 06:35 PM

the rotor should be pointed somewhere towards the DS headlight for #1..at least thats close then find TDC and line up the plug wires IN ORDER!!

cdowns · 12-21-2009, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard H.

REALLY ? my stuff only has one on each

Check your manual...

all my engines the piston goes to the top dead center on the exhaust stroke and also on the compression sttroke// hence the 180dgree difference in the dizzy// becacause the cam spprocket is twice as large as the crank sprocket the crank and piston are 360degrees off but the cam is 180 off

72armyswbtruck · 12-21-2009, 06:46 PM

Sounds like your 180 out.
Take cap off,
find Top Dead Center like previously mentioned. Should be pointing at the DS Headlight, then reconnect the wires in the correct firing order working clockwise from the #1 plug wire

crm318 · 12-21-2009, 07:10 PM

Well, I took the no. 1 plug out and had my friend put his finger on it until it blew his finger off. I then saw that the balancer was near the TDC mark. I put the cap on and gave it a crank. Nothing happened. I moved the distributor around and all I got was a point where there was a succession of soft pops. I even put the plug wires on in the 180 degree off firing order (with the 1 in the back) and this time it spewed fuel out of the carb in misfires. Im totally stumped. Should i just remove the distributor and reinstall it? How far into the compression stroke is the TDC? Is it right when you feel the pressure when your finger is blown off or is it near the end of that? This truck was running last night so it has to be simple.....hopefully

OhOneWS6 · 12-21-2009, 07:31 PM

Hind sight is 20/20 but you should have changed one wires at a time. Just because it was running does not mean the distributor was installed correctly. You can make #1 anywhere you want to. You need to pull the #1 plug and find TDC on the compression stroke. Next pull the distributor cap and see where the rotor is pointing. If it is not the terminal you were expecting you can either re-stab the distributor or to use that terminal as #1.

You also need to make sure you are putting the wires on in the right direction.

This may help you.
http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala...ng_order.shtml

This may help you.
http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala...ng_order.shtml

crm318 · 12-21-2009, 09:36 PM

Yeah, I know. I have done the wire/plug swap and distributor installation a dozen times, i have just never had one go like this and I wanted to see if I could fix my problem without taking out the distributor. Ill take it out and install it correctly. My friend just got this truck last week and the way that the engine was running and its condition should have told me not to trust it was adjusted/assembled correctly. Ill give this a shot and ill let you know.

cjaj70 · 12-21-2009, 09:42 PM

Sounds to me like you have a plug wire swapped. Run down the firing order.

mtdave2 · 12-21-2009, 11:38 PM

your dist is off, may not be a full 180, but is still off. i just had this happen to me last week. i was off just enough to cause the same problems you are having. i thought i was 180 off but it was only 45 or so.

just pull it and try again, it will work =)

dznucks · 12-22-2009, 07:46 AM

Did you get it running?

Did you checked the spark at the plugs? it sounds like the ground in the cap didnt get hooked up right.

What do you mean the distributor spins easily? the only way it could spin easily is if the pins in the shaft were broken. Which would make the distributor shaft not turn, in time, with the engine.

crm318 · 12-23-2009, 12:11 PM

Well, I pulled and installed the distributor, adjusted the out of tuned carb (one of the reasons it wouldnt run) and set the timing and now it runs pretty well. Thanks for all of your replies in such short notice. Merry Christmas.

12-21-2009, 04:29 PM	#2
jablack Classic Chevy Recycler Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 422	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Make sure the distibutor isn't 180 degrees out. __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 1970 Chevrolet C50 1979 Chevrolet C30 Need another 67 or 68 soon...

12-21-2009, 05:06 PM	#3
extd56 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,272	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Pull the number 1 plug and turn it over until you feel compression in the hole and see where the rotor is at. You should see it at number 1 and see the timing markes on the harmonic damper. Hope this helps.

12-21-2009, 05:37 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed there are two TDC on each cylinder compression stroke and exhaust stroke thats why the dizzy probally aint right// if you want to attempt tuneups a sevice manual is what the pros rely on __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-21-2009, 06:35 PM	#7
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed the rotor should be pointed somewhere towards the DS headlight for #1..at least thats close then find TDC and line up the plug wires IN ORDER!!

12-21-2009, 06:46 PM	#9
72armyswbtruck Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 4,033	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Sounds like your 180 out. Take cap off, find Top Dead Center like previously mentioned. Should be pointing at the DS Headlight, then reconnect the wires in the correct firing order working clockwise from the #1 plug wire __________________ "Remember, They can Kill You, but they can't eat You, That's against the law!!!!!!!!!"

12-21-2009, 04:22 PM	#1
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Emergency Timing Help Needed Im helping out a buddy of mine put new plugs, wires, cap and rotor in his 79 Bonanza. The distributor was so loose that it could spin with the slightest of touch. I pulled all of the wires off and put the new ones in (along with all of the other mentioned items). When I go to start the truck, it makes slight popping sounds and sometimes it will make a shotgun blast sound (I thought my eardrum was busted). This is all while moving the distributor back and forth. I made sure it was on TDC with the distributor cap off and the rotor on the number 1. I also know that the wires are on correctly and in the right firing order of 18436572. What can I do at this point. Its an emergency because I have to leave my friend in a few hours and I dont want to leave him stranded. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

12-21-2009, 07:10 PM	#10
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Well, I took the no. 1 plug out and had my friend put his finger on it until it blew his finger off. I then saw that the balancer was near the TDC mark. I put the cap on and gave it a crank. Nothing happened. I moved the distributor around and all I got was a point where there was a succession of soft pops. I even put the plug wires on in the 180 degree off firing order (with the 1 in the back) and this time it spewed fuel out of the carb in misfires. Im totally stumped. Should i just remove the distributor and reinstall it? How far into the compression stroke is the TDC? Is it right when you feel the pressure when your finger is blown off or is it near the end of that? This truck was running last night so it has to be simple.....hopefully __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

12-21-2009, 07:31 PM	#11
OhOneWS6 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 764	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Hind sight is 20/20 but you should have changed one wires at a time. Just because it was running does not mean the distributor was installed correctly. You can make #1 anywhere you want to. You need to pull the #1 plug and find TDC on the compression stroke. Next pull the distributor cap and see where the rotor is pointing. If it is not the terminal you were expecting you can either re-stab the distributor or to use that terminal as #1. You also need to make sure you are putting the wires on in the right direction. This may help you. http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala...ng_order.shtml This may help you. http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala...ng_order.shtml __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 1/2 LWB White/Dark Yellow 07 Avalanche 2LT 74 Sleek Craft Rebel Jet Boat W/Pontiac 400 Last edited by OhOneWS6; 12-21-2009 at 07:33 PM.

12-21-2009, 09:36 PM	#12
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Yeah, I know. I have done the wire/plug swap and distributor installation a dozen times, i have just never had one go like this and I wanted to see if I could fix my problem without taking out the distributor. Ill take it out and install it correctly. My friend just got this truck last week and the way that the engine was running and its condition should have told me not to trust it was adjusted/assembled correctly. Ill give this a shot and ill let you know. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

12-21-2009, 09:42 PM	#13
cjaj70 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 27	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Sounds to me like you have a plug wire swapped. Run down the firing order.

12-21-2009, 11:38 PM	#14
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed your dist is off, may not be a full 180, but is still off. i just had this happen to me last week. i was off just enough to cause the same problems you are having. i thought i was 180 off but it was only 45 or so. just pull it and try again, it will work =) __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

12-22-2009, 07:46 AM	#15
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Did you get it running? Did you checked the spark at the plugs? it sounds like the ground in the cap didnt get hooked up right. What do you mean the distributor spins easily? the only way it could spin easily is if the pins in the shaft were broken. Which would make the distributor shaft not turn, in time, with the engine.

12-23-2009, 12:11 PM	#16
crm318 Alright Alright Alright Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Midland, Texas Posts: 1,672	Re: Emergency Timing Help Needed Well, I pulled and installed the distributor, adjusted the out of tuned carb (one of the reasons it wouldnt run) and set the timing and now it runs pretty well. Thanks for all of your replies in such short notice. Merry Christmas. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Chevrolet red and white 357ci, Vortec heads, GM Performance high rise intake, Comp 268H .454/.454 218/218 110 LSA Quadrajet carb, Flowtech headers, 2.25 40 series HEI, Curve kit, TH 350, 3.07 gears 275/60/15s on 15x8 rallies

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