30deg initial timing!?!?!!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Custom/Ten

Attachment 1403501 bottom of the shaft appears to only go in 2 ways. I don't get it. Please do explain though. I'm always up for learning some thing new and maybe we can help this gentleman in the process!

Your pic is of a Delco L6 distributor, but your post is about an SBC V8.
Regardless: The oil-pump-driving slot end below is bi-directional, true, but there is a small dimple machined into one side of the cam worm gear so you can tell one side from the other. Also it is wise to bump your rotor to point at Cylinder #1, then mark the rotors' relation to the block, both on the block itself and also on the distributor rotor plate before you pull it, so you can get back to the same marks on re-install.

[dirtyjim]

I would think the engine would be hard to start with 30 degrees initial timing.
I know on the ones where I've ran a lot of initial timing they started a lot better if the ignition and starter were on separate switches so you could get the engine spinning then fire the ignition. that's what we did before you could get ignition boxes with a timing retard during starting feature

[asolde]

I think you have the wrong balancer installed. Have you ever checked the timing before since the engine was installed and was the timing on then? I say this because I installed the wrong balancer and at idle my timing mark showed at 12 position when I put the light on it.

[GASoline71]

If you have a 350 out of a later model rig that had a long water pump (1973ish to 1985ish), the timing tab was pretty much directly behind the long water pump at the 12 o'clock position. So when you timed your rig you were actually shooting the timing light behind the water pump.

These old trucks with a short water pump had the timing tab offset to the drivers side. So if you have a later model balancer with an older timing tab (or vice versa) it can throw your timing waaaayyyy off.

Gary

[ol'blu72]

I'm having a hard time finding a piston stop locally To check my TDC. I have decided to just set it to where it runs right and enjoy it.

[geezer#99]

I'm still curious what your idle rpm is?
I've never bought a piston stop. I've just knocked the porcelain and electrode out of an old sparkplug, threaded it inside and used a piece of ready rod and a lock nut and made my own. Works great.

[67ChevyRedneck]

You really don't even need to be that "exact". You'll need a helper for this. Just slowly turn it over by hand until you feel the pressure build in cyl No. 1 with your finger over the plug hole. You'll feel a slight pop. That should get you within a few degrees of TDC to see if the balancer/timing tabs are wrong... I mean, 30* is A LOT. You should be able to spot what's off. Like others have mentioned, I suspect a balancer/timing tab mismatch issue. My guess is that you're using a 2 O'clock timing tab with a "newer" 12 O'clock style balancer.

Even easier... try this...

Try to shoot your timing light straight down from the top of the motor, either in front of, or behind the water pump, I'd be willing to bet your initial is 8-12* when trying it that way.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by ol'blu72

I'm having a hard time finding a piston stop locally To check my TDC. I have decided to just set it to where it runs right and enjoy it.

If you had ordered it on the 15th when suggested or on the 16th you would have already received it. Enjoy your ride.

[ol'blu72]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

I'm still curious what your idle rpm is?

Idle RPM is 800.

[ol'blu72]

Got playing with her today and found TDC using the redneck rope method and lo and behold my timing mark is correct (it was actually off by like 2 deg but that could have been caused by using the rope method) So what now?

[geezer#99]

Now you get or make a real piston stop.
Those redneck calibrated ropes, screwdrivers, fingers or pencils are notorious for being off 10 to 15 degrees.

And turn your idle down to 650. At 800 you're starting to advance the weights in the dizzy.

[ol'blu72]

the rope was good enough for me to know my mark was not off my 30 deg.

[ol'blu72]

So any ideas on whats going on??

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by ol'blu72

So any ideas on whats going on??

Nope, with the info you have provided we are going in circles.

[72K20super]

Hook a vacuum gauge up to the manifold port on the carb and check the timing unless you have a huge cam. You adjust the timing to where it makes the most vacuum and it should be set correctly or very close.