73 360 Ignition timing after Chain replacement

Gloyale said
Yes I am assuming that the Mopar Performance Gear set is accurate. Why wouldn't it be? You think factory mopor parts would not be accurate?

At any rate.....i drove the truck today, and it was excellent. I don't think it would have run as well as it does, if the Cam was a full tooth off, which is the only possible mistake I thought I might have made. I didn't just throw the chain on any old place....lol.....I know that I used the correct marks, and like I said in my initial post I'm nearly certain that the marks where lined up correct. The excellent drive-ability pretty much confirms that. As to the ignition timing, best guess is that the Cam is an RV cam, not the stock.....and setting initial timing at 15 is gonna be fine.

This is a work truck. I'm not trying to build a hotrod or drag engine. So long as it runs well with good power and throttle response, I don't see a need to tear the waterpump and cover off again.

Thanks to all for letting me bounce my thoughts off your knowledgable group, even though this isn't actually an "a body"

Very simply because of factory machining tolerances. Factories spit those timing sets out millions at a time. Lets try to make this easier for you to understand.

In order for your camshaft to be in the right place, here is what has to have happened. The keyways on the cam and crank gears have to be in the correct positions, both relative to the camshaft and the crank keys on your engine. There is little chance of that happening. Why?

Simply because we are measuring in DEGREES. That is an uber small measurement to be certain everything is correct. It's perfectly "normal" and "accepted" that factory keys in cranks and cams be machined incorrectly. Also the same is true for any timing chain set with the keyways in the cam and crank sprokets. Add all of that "unperfectness" together and you could be way off, even with factory parts. It's a simple fact of life and it's very RARE for everything to be "just right" when you simply install dot to dot, or "wherever" without a degree wheel.

What we're telling you is true and 100% factual. If you choose to be hard headed and stubborn and ignore our advice, then so be it. But remember one thing. You ASKED this question. We cannot help that the answer is not one that you don't want to hear or accept.