Can't time my '79 Chevy K-10.

205

Asked by James May 12, 2012 at 12:57 AM about the 1979 Chevrolet C/K 10

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

She's got a 350, new plugs/wires, and the plugs are properly gapped.  The timing chain is on correctly, firing order is correct, only things I can think of are distributor or cap or a slipped balancer.  Any suggestions?

14 Answers

24,415

Is your truck running and just out of time or is it not running because it is too far out of time?

2 people found this helpful.
205

Truck is running and out of time, but I can't time it, when it runs ok, but not properly, the mark on the balancer is 25 degrees advanced, when the mark is at 0 degrees(TDC), it runs like shit.

24,415

The 0 degree mark is just a reference point. When timed you will be advanced from 0. If you use a vacuum gauge along with timing it you will get optimum timing. You should have minimum 17-18 in. hg. vacuum. As you adjust timing you will notice vacuum changes time for max vacuum plus or minus only small amounts. Also here is a little ready reference you can use for timing and troubleshooting. You should get between 17-22 in. hg. depending on your elevation above 2000 feet MSL or mean sea level. To perform this test hook vacuum gauge directly to manifold vacuum. 1. Low steady needle usually indicates leaky intake, a leaky vacuum hose, late timing, or incorrect camshaft timing. 2. If reading is 3-8 inches low and fluctuates at that low reading suspect an intake manifold gasket leak at intake port or faulty injector. 3. If the needle has regular drops of about 2-4 in hg. at a steady rate the valves are probably leaking. (Perform a compression check). 4. An irregular drop or down flick of the needle can be caused by a sticking valve or an ignition misfire. 5. A rapid vibration of about four in hg. indicates worn valve guides. 6. Slight fluctuation of one inch or so indicates ignition problems. 7. Large fluctuation perform a compression check. 8. If needle moves slowly through a wide range check for PCV issues. Hope this gives you a good place to start and helps you figure it out.

5 people found this helpful.
155

Take the left side rocker cover off and the #1 spark plug out. Turn engine over and watch the intake and exhaust valves open and close. Left front of engine bank. When exhaust valve closes stop engine when #1 piston reaches top dead centre. Remove distributor cap and see that rotor under cap is pointing to #1 spark plug terminal. Could be that distributor is out a half of a turn. If it is out a half a turn the rotor will be pointing to #6 spark plug wire terminal. Pull out distributor and hold body still and rotate rotor assembly clock wise to just before #1 terminal and set distributor back in hole and it should fall into oil pump drive and be pointing to #1 terminal. Adjust timing and HEI electrical terminals should be pointing to the left inner fender and brake booster.

1 people found this helpful.
205

The dizzy isn't 180 out, the truck flatass wouldn't run then, And I've checked everything a dozen times, I'm thinking the timing ring slipped. Also, the spark isn't as strong as it should be, it's orange, not bue. I'll have to dig through my parts bin and get a new dizzy cap.

1 people found this helpful.
155

If you are so smart why are you asking for help!!!! If you know it all then the truck should run, then go crawl in a corner and don't bother anyone JERK!

2 people found this helpful.
205

I wasn't being a jerk, I was just saying, from past experience, that when the distributor is 180 out, the truck wouldn't run.

60,215

did you get a new timing cover? For Older style blocks timing is shot from straight down through the water pump so the marks are on the top of the dampener for TDC 0 degrees. Newer sbc have the marks off to the driver side, if a timing cover or dampener is mix-matched then the marks wont line up. Time it by ear at this point or fix the mixed up parts.

205

I bought a whole new dizzy, and the timing marks are straight up, the balancer and timing cover are matched, the guy who sold me the motor bought them as a matched set. I've given up however, and, much as I hate to admit it, took her to the Dr. yesterday.

1 people found this helpful.
10

Did you figure out what was wrong with it? I'm having the same problem. I checked my balancer outer ring and it lines up perfectly.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

C/K 10

Looking for a Used C/K 10 in your area?

CarGurus has 3 nationwide C/K 10 listings and the tools to find you a great deal.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    CaptPKelly
    Reputation
    5,160
  • #2
    T_S_T
    Reputation
    1,040
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    990
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
363 Great Deals out of 12,802 listings starting at $599
Used Chevrolet Camaro
25 Great Deals out of 511 listings starting at $11,500
Used Chevrolet Corvette
29 Great Deals out of 593 listings starting at $10,989
Used Ford Mustang
61 Great Deals out of 1,603 listings starting at $6,500
Used Ford F-100
4 listings
Used Chevrolet Blazer
30 Great Deals out of 1,376 listings starting at $23,989

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.