Engine Shaking...

[AJ/FormS]

No ignition timing changes since after I installed the digital box. I just converted to it yesterday.

That's a problem.
You may not have changed the timing by moving the distributor,
but the box did, electronically.
And yes, the MSD needs a MSD specific timing lite, or a lite that can grab the first firing, or you can set the timing AFTER the multi-strike drops out, usually around 3000 rpm, which is actually the better idea.
But as the guys have said; your first move is to prove the index mark on the damper is where it belongs.

 

[Alexhetti]

That's a problem.

I was planning on taking it to get retimed and the spark plugs regapped this week since I installed that. But I personally haven't retimed it. It seems to be running better and stronger than it ever has since I've owned it.

 

[AJ/FormS]

In the coming summer you will be resetting the timing possibly many times so you might as well get one that for sure works on your MSD, and learn how to use it. And get a piston stop, and if your balancer is not marked to 60 degrees, them get a timing tape, and install it correctly,lol.

 

[Alexhetti]

Here is a video of it running currently

 

[Alexhetti]

In the coming summer you will be resetting the timing possibly many times so you might as well get one that for sure works on your MSD, and learn how to use it. And get a piston stop, and if your balancer is not marked to 60 degrees, them get a timing tape, and install it correctly,lol.

Yeah I'm trying to learn how to work on this car by myself. Kinda hard when I'm tackling so many things at once by myself lol I just looked up the MSD timing light, piston stop tool, and timing tape.. looks like some stuff I should seriously have lol

 

[AJ/FormS]

She's just running real slow. For now, just pull in some timing about 1/4" to 3/8"- worth at the Vcan, and then crank in the speed screw to get at least 750/800 rpm.
Later we can deal with the Idle-air bypass, which she seems to be desperate for..

Check to see if there is a vacuum signal at the sparkport. If there is, that is indicating that the primary throttle is already way too far open.

BTW, at idle and low-rpm, you cannot hurt the engine,with even 25 to 30 degrees of timing. By 2500, the engine may be wanting 50 degrees at PART-THROTTLE.
You just can't floor it like that, cuz in all likelihood something will break inside the engine. But if it doesn't break the first time, it can still be damaged; remember, 3600 rpm is 60 revolutions per second, and there are 4 firings per revolution, so 240 firings per SECOND. Thasalotta hits; some pistons will break the skirts off, others will get holed, others; well you get the point. You gotta limit your Power-Timing to something the engine can handle; 34* at no sooner than 3400rpm is usually safe. But that engine of yours, if equipped with an automatic trans will likely want 18 or so Idle degrees, depending on the stall-rpm..

 

[AJ/FormS]

Yeah I'm trying to learn how to work on this car by myself. Kinda hard when I'm tackling so many things at once by myself lol I just looked up the MSD timing light, piston stop tool, and timing tape.. looks like some stuff I should seriously have lol

Another thing you should have is a vacuum/fuel-pressure gauge, with pressure reading capability to ~7 psi, and vacuum to 30 is normal.

 

[Alexhetti]

Ahh I see. By installing the ignition box, I just changed the timing. It slowed down the idle and in-turn made the engine-less shakey because of the lower rpms. I will order some of this stuff this week and get to work on resetting the timing. Thank you for this.

 

[AJ/FormS]

Ahh I see. By installing the ignition box, I just changed the timing. It slowed down the idle and in-turn made the engine-less shakey because of the lower rpms. I will order some of this stuff this week and get to work on resetting the timing. Thank you for this.

ummmmmm, no.
It's less shakey because if the first spark doesn't make a fire in the chamber, then maybe the second,third or 20th will get the job done.
If the rpm slowed down, after the MSD install, with no other changes made, then yes the timing was probably electronically retarded

 

[Alexhetti]

ummmmmm, no.
It's less shakey because if the first spark doesn't make a fire in the chamber, then maybe the second,third or 20th will get the job done.
If the rpm slowed down, after the MSD install, with no other changes made, then yes the timing was probably electronically retarded

Okay, that makes sense. Sorry, all of this is very new to me so it's a lot to grasp. What I will probably do is bring it to the shop this week to get retimed properly. I need a good starting point so I can see how an accurately timed system will run in my car since it's basically not had one since before I got it. Once again thank you for all the info and advice, seriously helps someone like me

 

[512Stroker]

No ignition timing changes since after I installed the digital box. I just converted to it yesterday. As for the timing with the electronic ignition, I couldn't tell you. These are questions I never asked the shop since I pretty inexperienced in engine performance and tuning knowledge

I agree with AJ pull a compression and leak down test that will tell you the overall health of the engine.
I still suspect you may have a balancer/timing issue. Some time ago this happen to me it took mounths to figue it out.
Are you running a stock balancer?

 

[512Stroker]

That's easy

You fire it up, and pull off a spark plug wire
If it changes the way the car sounds, it was hitting on that cylinder

If it does not change the way it sounds, you found a problem

Do that for all 8 cylinder

I can not recommend this procedure with a digital box. There have been reports of destroying electronic ECU's pulling plug wires.

 

[512Stroker]

I was planning on taking it to get retimed and the spark plugs regapped this week since I installed that. But I personally haven't retimed it. It seems to be running better and stronger than it ever has since I've owned it.

What spark plug are you running? Current gap?

 

[Alexhetti]

What spark plug are you running? Current gap?

Autolite 63, .035 gap with Moroso 7mm spiral core plug wires

 

[Alexhetti]

I agree with AJ pull a compression and leak down test that will tell you the overall health of the engine.
I still suspect you may have a balancer/timing issue. Some time ago this happen to me it took mounths to figue it out.
Are you running a stock balancer?

I will be taking it to the shop this week for sure and I will ask them to run those tests. Ill definitely mention a potential balancer or timing issue. I'm assuming it has a stock balancer, how could I tell?

 

[dirty white boy]

looks like normal healthy cam shake to me...long as engine running right id shut the hood n drive it!

 

[70dart340]

My money is on the Balancer slipping. It makes a small cam sound bigger, but makes her harder to tune.

 

[Alexhetti]

My money is on the Balancer slipping. It makes a small cam sound bigger, but makes her harder to tune.

It’s got a pretty big cam in it as far as I can tell. But I agree with you on the potential balancer issue after all the advice i’ve received on this thread. Definitely going to have it checked out