[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

I'm ready to pull the front of the engine apart and verify the cam installation.

Suggestions?

My first car, a 350-powered 69 Cutlass S, jumped timing at 104k miles. The factory manual had a blurb about cylinder #4 (?) being at a certain position - if not it jumped.

A google search may unearth this procedure and save you the time and gaskets. I did NOT download this - try at your own risk.

https://onlinerepairmanuals.com/work...manual/5529975

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Scarebird

My first car, a 350-powered 69 Cutlass S, jumped timing at 104k miles. The factory manual had a blurb about cylinder #4 (?) being at a certain position - if not it jumped.

A google search may unearth this procedure and save you the time and gaskets. I did NOT download this - try at your own risk.

https://onlinerepairmanuals.com/work...manual/5529975

I'll just pull it apart. The previous owner built the long block, and said it was set to go. So far that's looking like it might be false.

I have ample amounts of fuel, a new carb, an HEI that's producing spark, and it's been set with #1 TDC multiple times.

I'm getting nothing. Not a cough, backfire, pop, nothing. It's like it doesn't have ignition, despite having spark. The only thing I can think of is the valve timing is off.

[72projectbird]

Well, take a look at this BS. Timing mark on crank facing 12 o'clock, cam is drifting off somewhere around 2.

Numb nuts put this together

[Scarebird]

That would do it.

[johnta1]

Where's the dot on the crank gear? I see a white line but not the dot.

But that is way if it is where the line is. Did you put the white lines on?

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Where's the dot on the crank gear? I see a white line but not the dot.

But that is way if it is where the line is. Did you put the white lines on?

I put the lines on so they're easier to see in the pics.

[72projectbird]

So I removed the crank sprocket and installed it straight up (not advanced or retarded) and spun the cam until the dot on it lined up the the crank sprocket, and re-installed the chain. Now I got the dots facing 6 o'clock on the cam, and 12 on the crank. After rotating it 360° they line back up and cylinder #1 is at TDC.

Sounds right, right?

[Scarebird]

The highlighted mark on the crank sprocket is a stamped square?

[Shiny]

Originally Posted by Scarebird

The highlighted mark on the crank sprocket is a stamped square?

I think they're asking if you know which key slot and mark are correct for "straight up". Is a square mark for "0" advance? Or is it a round mark, triangle, whatever...

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Scarebird

The highlighted mark on the crank sprocket is a stamped square?

It was. I pulled it off and set it straight up with the circle (O never mived the crank. It lined up on its own), and lined it up with the circle on the cam.

I just bumped the key and got it to cough through the carb slightly, which is more than I was ever getting before. So I'm definitely on the right track

[Scarebird]

Exactly.

Circle = Straight up
Triangle = 2° advanced
Square = 2° retarded

per Cloyes

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Scarebird

Exactly.

Circle = Straight up
Triangle = 2° advanced
Square = 2° retarded

per Cloyes

I have no idea wtf happened during installation. I guess I'll go over everything to make sure nothing else is installed incorrectly.

[Shiny]

Wow, if the square mark was under your white paint, then you definitely found the smoking gun.

Caca happens, but this one sounds beyond frustrating.

Good job figuring it out.

[72projectbird]

Well, it's all back together. Just waiting on some gaskets. Did a little test fire and got it to go. So I guess the previous owner just messed up the chain installation.

[72projectbird]

Got the car up and running! Had to wait a few days for parts and such, but got it fired up, broken in for 20 minutes at 2000-2500 rpm, and locked in the timing where it seemed to like it.

What are you guys doing oil wise after break in? I have always changed break in oil the day after initial start and set up, and run Dello with a zinc additive on top of it after.

[Scarebird]

Good to hear.

[72projectbird]

Next up, interior. Already have the seats redone with new foam and covers, just waiting on the headliner before I install everything. Also building a 4 relay system for the power windows, instead of using the stock setup that runs the power thru the switch before going to the motors.

[72projectbird]

Got the 4 relays installed for the power windows, and Jesus they're fast now. Bypassing the factory relay that ran all the power through the switch, and instead having a dedicated relay for each up and down function per window really helped. More than I figured it would. The windows are lightning quick now. Pretty sweet.

Just got the headliner delivered today. Hope to start assembling the interior this weekend.

[Gator67]

Originally Posted by 72projectbird

Just got the headliner delivered today. Hope to start assembling the interior this weekend.

I need need to purchase and install a headliner in my son’s 79…any tips? Has to be easier than an early car with the bows…

[burd]

It was easy, I did my 78.