Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Timing Pontiac 8

I need some help with the timing of my '52 Pontiac. My problem is, when I fire it up, it will run really rough and then die. You have to give it a lot of gas to even keep running. Saturday it decided to spit some fire out of the carb at me in protest.

Does anyone have any advice on how I could get it fixed? It's the inline 8, high compression, it currently has an Edelbrock 4 barrel (the origional 2 barrel crapped out on me).

Thanks!

Dear VK;

I'm not sure timing is your problem, but let's remove that question.

First; set your points acording to specs. Then remove #1 plug and bring that piston up to TDC by watching the timing mark/rotor position(s)etc. Also note the direction of the rotor rotation.

Now rotate the distributor oposite of the rotor rotation or until the points just break open.

You are now timed.

Good luck, John M., #3370



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Thank you. We will try that.

Do you think there could be something else the matter with it? I'm going to have the origional carb rebuilt, but I wanted to put something on it so I could drive it until then.

A friend suggested it might be the timing. But any other ideas would be welcome!

It's always a process of elimination.

If the points/timing are set right, then move on.

Checking the cap/wires would be next. Watch the engine run in the dark & see if there is a 'light show' with your HV. As I recall the Pontiac inline had a wire loom between the distributor and the head. There may be shorts there or a bad wire or two. If OK move on.

Test compression noting the color of all plugs. Light=lean, dark=rich. If you find a wet/fouled one with good compression theres your bad wire etc.

Good luck, John M., #3370

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Sounds like maybe a bad vaccuum leak. Joe

Has the engine been apart? Has the distributor been removed? Have the plug wires been removed?

It is real easy to get the timing chain/gear a notch or two off or get the distributor 180* off or switch some plug wires.

I just bought the car a month and a half ago. We've never taken anything apart. We did drive it a couple of times, until the fuel pump broke and the carb started leaking out of everywhere. I just bought another orgional carb for it, it should be here in a week. i hope that is the problem.

We will try the timing this weekend just to be sure. A number of people have suggested it was a vaccum leak, but no one has found it. I'll let you know what the problem was if we find it this weekend. Thank you all!!

I saw this trick somewhere but can't remember if I've got it right.

Take a can of Ether and start the car with the air cleaner on and everything in place.
(We all know ether makes cars go Vrooom!, right? )
Lightly spray around the carb and listen for the RPM's to go up. If they do it's sucking air from the outside and you have a leak.

I'm pretty sure that's how to do it...

Good Luck!


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(O)2(O)5(O)0(O)S(O)I(O)X
PHAT250Six
Git in! Sit Down! Shut Up! Hang On!
And when in doubt... STICK YER FOOT IN IT!
250 L6 in a '69 Camaro


[This message has been edited by PHAT250Six (edited 06-12-2003).]