Timing has me stumped?

[andysauto1]

balancer has not slipped. timing mark is right on top dead center when rotor is pointing directly to # 1 piston is at top of rotation

 

[halifaxhops]

ok running where is the mark on the balancer on #1 CLY? Points also you have to have a good dist ground or it will wander.

 

[andysauto1]

TDC on engine cover, good ground

 

[fishmens67]

It's time to put your finger in #1 spark plug hole, turn the engine slowly until your finger blows, look at the balancer and see where the mark is, check rotor position.
Should give you a pretty good idea if everything is in phase.

 

[TT5.9mag]

Been fooling around with my LA 360 again. Definitely got it running better, but I think I have a couple things going on. She starts right up, and I checked the timing (done this a few times before) getting it up to TDC and rotating the Distributor to proper placement. Seemed to line up right. I still can't get the timing mark to come up with the light?? Old 7mm standard wires?? The engine will stumble down low, but clears up when revved higher and seems to surge some?? I suspect a possible vacuum leak around the intake , but not sure. Maybe the Timing chain and gears are off a tooth. You guys have any thoughts?

Take a video of it starting, idling, and acting up and post it to you tube. Then link it here. Internet diagnostics are going to be very hard with what you’re describing.

 

[65 Cuda 340]

OK. Is it the case that your timing light is flashing, but it's not showing the timing mark on the crank damper? How much of the crank damper can you see in the area near the marks on the timing cover? If you tightened the distributor down with the rotor pointing straight to the number one terminal, timing probably is gonna be retarded. The timing light will still show the timing mark on the damper, but not where it should be and maybe out of your sight.

If the timing chain and gears are a tooth off, the motor will run poorly, but you can still set the ignition timing exactly where it should be.

Same with a vacuum leak - may not run well, may not idle worth a poot, but it won't affect engine timing.

 

[Oldiron440]

The first time I ran into this I took the light and looked for the mark with the engine idling and found it about thirty five degrees retarded were it normally wouldn’t run.

 

[Swinger 340]

New don't mean good worth a FFFFFF. You know that.

If I'm reading this correctly, do you have the correct timing cover on the motor. I put a early 340 in my 72' Van and the water pump intake from the radiator covered the timing marks. I timed it by ear for over 30 years. Also a spun balancer could be the issue.