Quadrajunk

[donut]

I'd start with the battery connections. Make sure they're all clean and intact. Same with the grounds and starter connections.
Charging system good? (battery and alt)

IMO these things should be checked this time of year anyway.
Timing could also be a major factor. (too much)

[bitchin85]

i know this is probably a dumb question but turning the distributor counterclockwise advances it right? i had someone help me with the timing and i think its a little too much advanced

[presleyhome]

Excellent piece on timing an older engine:

Timing article link


Jim P

[cLaWz]

Great how to on timing. Have no info on the motor in my truck as to recommended timing and was kind of lost as to where I needed to set it at.

Thanks!

[donut]

Originally Posted by *****in85

i know this is probably a dumb question but turning the distributor counterclockwise advances it right? i had someone help me with the timing and i think its a little too much advanced

I believe your right. In your case you'll probably want a little clockwise (retard).
Throw a timing light on it and don't forget to disconnect the vac. advance when setting it.

Originally Posted by cLaWz

Great how to on timing. Have no info on the motor in my truck as to recommended timing and was kind of lost as to where I needed to set it at.

Thanks!

There "should" be an emissions sticker that has your timing on it. (pop the hood, it should be right there.) Not sure on the late models, but I think 4' BTDC would be about right. (or a good starting point )

FWIW, my truck runs 10-12' BTDC. A quick search should turn up timing tips as far as how much advance you can run.

[cLaWz]

No emissions sticker but if there was it wouldn't matter anyway. Truck had a 454 dropped in it along with a bunch of "questionable" repairs from the previous owner.

[68 TT]

Six to eight degrees advanced is a pretty safe number to start with. You can play around with it to see what your engine likes the most.

[bitchin85]

another stupid questioin but how do i know how many degrees exactallly i am advanced?

[donut]

Timing light, marks on the timing tab, mark on balancer.
Do you have a chilton/haynes manual?

[big10ratrod77]

Do you have a chilton/haynes manual?
Yesterday 10:36 PM

its a good thing to have

[bitchin85]

nope not yet but i had number one piston at tdc and lined the number one wire up on the cap with the rotor and turned the distributor mabye 3/4 inch advanced. im going to try to run a timing light onit in te next few days

[donut]

By chance, while you had it at TDC, did you check the timing marks to verify they lined up?

[bitchin85]

i didnt even think to but i put a peice of coat hanger in the spark plug hole and had someone turn the crank by hand till it was right at the top

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by donut

By chance, while you had it at TDC, did you check the timing marks to verify they lined up?

Good thing to verify just to know everything is the way it should be before you go much further trying to tune it.

I have come across more than one 350 with mixed vintage balancer and timing cover. Timing will be way off if the parts used do not match.

I have also seen a balancer with the outer ring that has slipped in relation to the center hub too.

[bitchin85]

the motor was rebuilt by a place like jasper(dont remember the name) like 20,000 miles ago.. would they mix match parts? i noticed it had 305 heads on a 350 block...

[donut]

A timing light is useless if the marks are wrong. A little time checking and you'll know for sure.

[bitchin85]

ok ill check it out tomorow. thanks guys