Timing question

VAUGHN · Post by **VAUGHN** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 6:29 pm

I finally got my truck to start and run,Thanks for all the pointers,Could'nt of done it with out members advice.The problem I am having now is Idling I can't seem to get it to idle down low enough,I advance it,it rev's great of course,I retard real rough acceleration, all wires are correct,no vacuum leaks anywhere including the intake.I was thinking maybe 180 off since it can go only 2 ways I think this could be the problem.Just want some input from others,Where I live are not many knowledgable mopar people so until I learn more about it ,this is my only source of info.Any input much appreciated.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:06 pm

I don't think it would run at all if it was 180 off.

Jeffc · Post by **Jeffc** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:36 pm

Oh they will run at 180 out, maybe fine at low rpm, maybe at high rpm, till you put a load on the engine> then
run like crap......pop, backfire, no power, ect......

taintedspeed · Post by **taintedspeed** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:09 am

here here jeff, i have done that twice. once with a bb 400 and once with a 360. even drove my 360 around with only 5 cylinders poppin (bent dist.) so, could very well be. try it and find out. the worst is you put it right back 180 the other way. -Randy

Russ · Post by **Russ** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:06 am

Do you have a timing light? I'd suggest setting the timing to about 8-10 degrees static advance (vacuum line disconnected) and then see if it runs good. If it does fix the fast idling problem. It could be that the fast idle cam is never completely moving out of the way, idle adjustment screw, or the idle air screws need adjusting. If it doesn't run good with the timing set correctly I'd find out why, but don't change the timing. If the timing can be set correctly and the vacuum advance is pointing in the proper direction I would say that the distributor could not be 180 out.

I've never had one to start at all with the distributor 180 out but I'll take everyone's word that it will. You would have to turn the distributor housing a long way in one direction or the other to make it run I would think since it would be firing on the exhaust stroke if it were exactly 180 out.