[66sprint6]

Well, I really screwed this one up, and I can't figure out how or why. I took the timing cover off and confirmed that the dots were correct. In this case, the dot on the crank sprocket at 12:00 and and the camshaft sprocket at 6:00. I know that in this case to stab the distributor at the #6 terminal. I did all that and fired it up with the distributor not too advanced or retarded. Checked it all again and tried to fire it up. The thing popped and backfired like a SOB. Wouldn't rev, didn't run anywhere near smooth. It ran for a bit at about 500 RPM's, but kept stalling with a backfire. So I guess that I effed up the cam. I'm not worried about the cam, I can get another one. But why does it seem as the engine fires when either an intake or exhaust valve is open? We're going to put the old cam back in and see what happens. Pretty bummed out at this time. Losing a lot of precious Canadian summer weather to enjoy the car.

[66sprint6]

Pic of timing chain and sprocket alignment.

[zippy]

Originally Posted by 66sprint6

Well, I really screwed this one up, and I can't figure out how or why. I took the timing cover off and confirmed that the dots were correct. In this case, the dot on the crank sprocket at 12:00 and and the camshaft sprocket at 6:00. I know that in this case to stab the distributor at the #6 terminal. I did all that and fired it up with the distributor not too advanced or retarded. Checked it all again and tried to fire it up. The thing popped and backfired like a SOB. Wouldn't rev, didn't run anywhere near smooth. It ran for a bit at about 500 RPM's, but kept stalling with a backfire. So I guess that I effed up the cam. I'm not worried about the cam, I can get another one. But why does it seem as the engine fires when either an intake or exhaust valve is open? We're going to put the old cam back in and see what happens. Pretty bummed out at this time. Losing a lot of precious Canadian summer weather to enjoy the car.

Dot UP both is TDC on #1! easiest to instal cam dot down crank dot up. That is TDC #6! Rotate till cam is dot UP after that Then install Dizzy to No 1!

And where in Canada are you? Shuswap BC myself. About redy to drop my 470 into my bird soon as I locate a hoist long enough to clear the nose.

[66sprint6]

Originally Posted by zippy

Dot UP both is TDC on #1! easiest to instal cam dot down crank dot up. That is TDC #6! Rotate till cam is dot UP after that Then install Dizzy to No 1!

And where in Canada are you? Shuswap BC myself. About redy to drop my 470 into my bird soon as I locate a hoist long enough to clear the nose.

Zippy, I'm in Toronto. My family has been here for over 200 years now. But I've lived all over Canada. I lived in Edmonton for eight years.
As you can imagine, the only place to go to have fun if you're from "Deadmonton" is to head over your way to Penticton and Kelowna. I've been there many times.

[tooski]

Originally Posted by 66sprint6

The thing popped and backfired like a SOB. Wouldn't rev, didn't run anywhere near smooth. It ran for a bit at about 500 RPM's, but kept stalling with a backfire.

I had this problem a couple of times. Once I had the dizzy set too far retarded. Another time I had it trying to fire #8 instead of #1-way too far advanced. The last time I did it I set the balancer at 12* and set the dizzy rotor on or just past the trailing edge of the cap terminal.

[66sprint6]

Yep, it was the timing alright. I guess that I wasn't good at trying to line up the #6 on the distributor. Then it was running like crap, so I tried to advance the distributor, only making things worse. I pulled it and restabbed it more carefully this time (still #6) and the engine fired right up and I could hear that it was running well. That being said, I told my son to shut it down and I ordered another cam. I'm thinking that this one I just installed, hard started 5 or 6 times, and ran at 500RPM for a bit is not worth chancing to run it. 100 bucks or so, but not the end of the world. I actually feel much better knowing that we will get it running nice and being quite familiar with the process now. So thanks for everyone's help. I don't want to do this again for a while!

[78w72]

Originally Posted by 66sprint6

Yep, it was the timing alright. I guess that I wasn't good at trying to line up the #6 on the distributor. Then it was running like crap, so I tried to advance the distributor, only making things worse. I pulled it and restabbed it more carefully this time (still #6) and the engine fired right up and I could hear that it was running well. That being said, I told my son to shut it down and I ordered another cam. I'm thinking that this one I just installed, hard started 5 or 6 times, and ran at 500RPM for a bit is not worth chancing to run it. 100 bucks or so, but not the end of the world. I actually feel much better knowing that we will get it running nice and being quite familiar with the process now. So thanks for everyone's help. I don't want to do this again for a while!

$100 for a new cam? what brand of cam is this? if youre changing the cam its probably a good idea to get new lifters too. cam/lifters, new gaskets will be a lot more than $100, plus quite a bit of work...

if the cam was coated with break in lube & you only hard started 5 or 6 times & ran at 500rpm for a few minutes, i dont think the cam/lifters are damaged, you should be able to fire it up & instantly go to the 2000-2500 rpm for 20-30 minutes & break it in properly.

[66sprint6]

It's a Melling STP-1. Very tame, as we need the vacuum for power brakes, the AC controls and the factory Cruise Control. This car uses a lot of engine vacuum! I got it off of Rock Auto.