hi all, i'd like to ask a few questions and ask for some help if i may. i have a 1996 350 vortec completely rebuilt. its .30 over flat top pistons. all new bottom end. roller cam, 540 lift. roller lifters, roller rockers. air-gap cross wind intake. none vac pro billet distributor. with the 1806 edelbrock 650 thunder carb. .... well, timing chain set was installed correctly. point to point. the balancer is in great shape and has a cover with the timing markings for timing. the problem i'm having is... which ever-way i set my timing as far as, both valves on #1 closed in compression stroke at tdc. with the marking at the pointer ether at 12 degrees btdc or at 0 degrees tdc with the distributor positioned in its spot and the rotor firing on the #1 plug. motor will not fire unless i advance the distributor like 20-30 degrees btdc. ones i get it to fire, i retard the distributor at 12 degrees btdc and it revs down, kinda like i want to say not running smooth, and at that setting. if i rev the engine to like 2000-2500 rpm for a little bit, my headers start to glow. if i advance it back to were i can't even see the balancer mark because it way btdc. it runs real smooth without red headers. the confusing part is, why isn't it starting on the right timing setting.
i mean i would think, if the piston is at is at its compression stroke tdc, with the markings on the balancer and timing cover pointer ether at balancer o and pointer at 12 degrees btdc or balancer 0 and pointer at o, with the distributor dropped/installed in with it firing at the #1 plug on the cap.... it should fire right up,,, i would think. but it don't unless i turn/advance the distributor 20-30 degrees btdc. then it fires up runs smooth and if i advance it more it runs even more smooth until of course it starts to run ruff again the i would have to retard it a bit to smooth it out again... anyone have an idea what i'm doing wrong? thank you in advance. ps. the only thing i can think of. its got an aftermarket chrome timing chain cover with a aftermarket timing chain pointer. since it is a vortec motor. maybe i have the wrong pointer on their. not in the right position. ???
i mean i would think, if the piston is at is at its compression stroke tdc, with the markings on the balancer and timing cover pointer ether at balancer o and pointer at 12 degrees btdc or balancer 0 and pointer at o, with the distributor dropped/installed in with it firing at the #1 plug on the cap.... it should fire right up,,, i would think. but it don't unless i turn/advance the distributor 20-30 degrees btdc. then it fires up runs smooth and if i advance it more it runs even more smooth until of course it starts to run ruff again the i would have to retard it a bit to smooth it out again... anyone have an idea what i'm doing wrong? thank you in advance. ps. the only thing i can think of. its got an aftermarket chrome timing chain cover with a aftermarket timing chain pointer. since it is a vortec motor. maybe i have the wrong pointer on their. not in the right position. ???