Timing a vortec motor- please help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevybill · 10-19-2005, 08:39 AM

Here is the situation,

I have a vortec motor from a 98 tahoe that I am converting to carburetor and no computer stuff.

The harmonic balancer only has one groove on it and the timing cover has no timing tab like the old motors.

When I get it back in the truck, how do I get it timed, other than bringing up no 1 under compression and dropping in the distributor.

Do the distributors from summit need another dist gear? I know i need a "melonized" gear or a gear for the roller cam.

Any suggestions on timing are much appreciated.

Fred T · 10-19-2005, 10:19 AM

Get an adustable timing pointer. They bolt on using two timing cover bolts. Since you already have a balancer, and probably don't have the bucks for a degreed one, get either timing tape or a balancer cover that is degreed.

Best way to find TDC so you can set the pointer is with a degree wheel and a piston stop.

chevybill · 10-19-2005, 10:36 AM

tell me more about the degreed cover, the vortec has a different looking timing chain cover.

Dual quad · 10-19-2005, 07:10 PM

I installed a 96 vortec motor a few years ago in a 72 C-10 and ended up putting on an old style metal timing chain cover with degree marker. As I recall, the vortec cover was a composite material and had some kind of crank trigger port at the bottom. This on it's own was going to be a possible problem. There also may be a clearance problem with the vortec cover and the short water pump.

Fred T · 10-19-2005, 07:48 PM

Balancer cover, not timing cover. Like this one
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=KeywordSearch

And this is an adjustable timing pointer
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=KeywordSearch

chevybill · 10-19-2005, 08:44 PM

thanks for the links, great information.

did you use a timing cover for like a older 350 (up through 1985)?

10-19-2005, 08:39 AM	#1
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Timing a vortec motor- please help Here is the situation, I have a vortec motor from a 98 tahoe that I am converting to carburetor and no computer stuff. The harmonic balancer only has one groove on it and the timing cover has no timing tab like the old motors. When I get it back in the truck, how do I get it timed, other than bringing up no 1 under compression and dropping in the distributor. Do the distributors from summit need another dist gear? I know i need a "melonized" gear or a gear for the roller cam. Any suggestions on timing are much appreciated. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

10-19-2005, 10:19 AM	#2
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Timing a vortec motor- please help Get an adustable timing pointer. They bolt on using two timing cover bolts. Since you already have a balancer, and probably don't have the bucks for a degreed one, get either timing tape or a balancer cover that is degreed. Best way to find TDC so you can set the pointer is with a degree wheel and a piston stop. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

10-19-2005, 10:36 AM	#3
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Timing a vortec motor- please help tell me more about the degreed cover, the vortec has a different looking timing chain cover. __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

10-19-2005, 07:10 PM	#4
Dual quad Smell that burnin' rubber Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Ontario Posts: 171	Re: Timing a vortec motor- please help I installed a 96 vortec motor a few years ago in a 72 C-10 and ended up putting on an old style metal timing chain cover with degree marker. As I recall, the vortec cover was a composite material and had some kind of crank trigger port at the bottom. This on it's own was going to be a possible problem. There also may be a clearance problem with the vortec cover and the short water pump.

10-19-2005, 07:48 PM	#5
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Timing a vortec motor- please help Balancer cover, not timing cover. Like this one http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=KeywordSearch And this is an adjustable timing pointer http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=KeywordSearch __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

10-19-2005, 08:44 PM	#6
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: Timing a vortec motor- please help thanks for the links, great information. did you use a timing cover for like a older 350 (up through 1985)? __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint Last edited by chevybill; 10-19-2005 at 08:48 PM.



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