Did you verrify that number one cylinder was at top dead center, and your rotor pointing at number one terminal on your cap. You could be on number 6 without verify this? Also I had a cheap timing chain once that was 6 degrees off. Make sure you find top dead center with your timing tab, some tabs need to be adjusted to the balancer. Sounds like your timing is retarted. Also verify correct order of plug wires on cap.

 

If its burping and sending fire out the carb it sure sounds like 180 out.

Just to be clear, TDC with both valves closed - right? Rotor pointing just a tad before #1, clockwise rotor rotation with firing order 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2.

If your absolutely positive about all above you've got some other problem but I'd move the dist. 180 first jsut to be sure.....

Just my .02

 

I believe you are 180 out by your explanation. The two dots on the timing gears must be next to each other. 12:00 for the crank and 6:00 for the cam gear. You need to be TDC #1 cyl. compression stroke. You can check by pulling the plug and sticking your finger in the hole slightly to feel the air push out as number 1 comes up on it's compression stroke while turning the engine. Then stab your distributor in with the rotor pointing to #1 plug wire. Good luck with it.
Greg

 

If the cam phasing is correct (the lining up of the dots) and the distributor is installed correctly and the plug wires are correct, I would strongly suspect the valves to not be adjusted correctly- as in too tight, causing them to not seat fully. This will cause the problems you describe.

A quick test for this, is to run a compression test on the engine:

Remove all the plugs, disable the ignition and prop the throttle WFO.

Test each cylinder and record the results. "Pump" each cylinder the same number of times. I always position the gage so I can see it as I crank the engine- I give it three "jumps" of the gage, per cylinder (the gage jumps each time the piston comes up on TDC firing).

If you come to a cylinder that does not show good compression, stop there, pull the valve cover for that bank and check that cylinder's valve adjustment.

If you have any question regarding whether the tab and damper are correctly showing TDC, use DETERMINE TDC.

If you do not have a degreed damper or a dial back timing light, you can MAKE A TIMING TAPE. Use the temporary tape to set total timing, etc. and for marking the damper w/the total for future reference.

 

I believe you are 180 out by your explanation. The two dots on the timing gears must be next to each other. 12:00 for the crank and 6:00 for the cam gear.

For the record- in this position (timing gear dots closest to each other), #6 will be TDC firing. #1 will be TDC exhausting.

Rotating the crank one revolution will put the cam gear's dot @ 12 0'clock and then #1 will be TDC firing, #6 will be TDC exhausting.

 

For the record- in this position (timing gear dots closest to each other), #6 will be TDC firing. #1 will be TDC exhausting.

Rotating the crank one revolution will put the cam gear's dot @ 12 0'clock and then #1 will be TDC firing, #6 will be TDC exhausting.

What?? Since when??? The Dots face each other on assembly which is TDC #1. Here is a youtube video for reference. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr_n0cL46NM
Greg

 

What?? Since when??? The Dots face each other on assembly which is TDC #1. Here is a youtube video for reference. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr_n0cL46NM
Greg

On a SBC, if you take an engine that is running, pull the timing set out and reinstall a timing set the #6 hole will be at TDC firing w/the dots closest to each other.

 

On a SBC, if you take an engine that is running, pull the timing set out and reinstall a timing set the #6 hole will be at TDC firing w/the dots closest to each other.

Well that is interesting. I guess I will take your word for it. I have never looked at the timing chain again after initial assembly, I just look for #1 TDC with the plug out method, and work form there.
Greg

 

Well that is interesting. I guess I will take your word for it. I have never looked at the timing chain again after initial assembly, I just look for #1 TDC with the plug out method, and work form there.
Greg

Now, this has always been the case w/the timing sets I've worked with- Cloyes mainly.

There could be sets that have #1 at TDC firing when the dots are aligned, I don't know, except that I've never seen one that aligns #1 TDC firing- yet! lol

 

You're 180-off. Pull the dist. and spin the rotor 180 and drop it back in (the oil pump shaft will line up). I've seen enough timing sets that make you think you're zero'd...but you're 180-off.

 

You are 180* out. They say put the dots together to make installing the chain and cam gear simple. I found this out the hard way. When I built my first engine, I put the dots together (cam dot was at 6 and the crank dot was at 12), and got the same results as you are having. I pulled that car round and nothing. I took it to a friend who was a mechanic. He got it going. I was 180* out. The dots should both be at the 12 o'clock position, that will put #1 at TDC. The dist. shoud the be dropped in with the rotor pointing at the #1 wire. This works every time it's tried.
A good way to prove this is have the intake off and put both dots at each other (crank at 12 and cam at 6). Check the pushrods on #1. You will be able to turn the intake, because it is closed, but the exhaust will be open. Now check #6, you will be able to turn both, because they are both closed, it's at TDC.
Don't feel bad, most everyone has done this.
Daryl (cwmoss)

 

A good way to prove this is have the intake off and put both dots at each other (crank at 12 and cam at 6). Check the pushrods on #1. You will be able to turn the intake, because it is closed, but the exhaust will be open. Now check #6, you will be able to turn both, because they are both closed, it's at TDC.
Don't feel bad, most everyone has done this.
Daryl (cwmoss)

CW Moss- wasn't he the wheel man in Bonny and Clyde? :thumbup:

 

You got it. The movie came out when I was in high school. One of my buddies started calling me c.w.moss, because I was the only one in our lttle group that had a car, a 54 Merc Monteray(??). My parents bought it new in 54. It was a 2 door Hardtop, with an overdrive 3 speed. My dad was a Merc man. I was the wheel manfor our group. It has stuck all of these years.
Thanks for asking,
Daryl (cwmoss) :thumbup: