Small Block & Big Block Chevy Specific Mouse & Rat Motor Discussion & Conversions

383 timing trouble

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 9, 2007 | 12:52 PM
  #1  
crazycamaro496's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: CT
Default 383 timing trouble

a buddy of mine has a 383 with a complete msd ignition - pro billet distributor, digital 6 box and hvc coil. he just did a cam swap and had it on the dyno yesterday to get the air/fuel checked and make a couple nitrous pulls.

they checked the timing before making the bottle pulls and it right at 34* at 3500 rpm. then they revved it to 4000 and the timing started bouncing all over the place (back to 34 to 40 to 37 to 42 etc) without changing rpm from 4000. the distributor was tight and nothing was changed.

any idea what this could be? it was suggested it could be the distributor gear, but we didn't get to pull the distributor. anyone else seen this before? any ideas?
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2007 | 10:48 AM
  #2  
Brandon35thSS's Avatar
12 Second Club
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Gadsden alabama
Default

is he running the mechanical advance or does he have it locked out? also the timing chain "moves" a little bit at higher rpms. if it gets to be a problem,lock out the mechanical advance and put a crank trigger on it and it will be gone
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2007 | 11:13 AM
  #3  
crazycamaro496's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: CT
Default

mechanical advance. i guess he pulled the distributor last night and the gear didn't look that good after all.

now that i think about it, he's got the timing cover on there with the adjustable button installed in it....you just turn it in or out from the outside of the cover. anyone ever used one of those, you think it could be allowing the chain to move around a little too much?
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2007 | 11:43 AM
  #4  
Ryan02SS's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 0
From: Lake Anna, VA/ Fairmont, WV
Default

Originally Posted by crazycamaro496
mechanical advance. i guess he pulled the distributor last night and the gear didn't look that good after all.

now that i think about it, he's got the timing cover on there with the adjustable button installed in it....you just turn it in or out from the outside of the cover. anyone ever used one of those, you think it could be allowing the chain to move around a little too much?
I'm running the Cloyes cover that you described and have had no problems. It's top of the line and if installed and adjusted PROPERLY it should have no problems. Did he check his dist gear wear pattern before running the engine?
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2007 | 11:47 AM
  #5  
CNC BLOCKS N/E's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: NORTHEAST
Default

We have seen that before on some Snap on type timing lights, At our shop and the customers that run our engines we have them use the timing light from Flame River thats a one wire timing light, Make sure the balancer is degreed.

Most timing lights are made for setting the timing at idle.
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2007 | 05:07 PM
  #6  
crazycamaro496's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: CT
Default

I think it was a Snap On digital timing light. I'll mention that. thanks
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2007 | 05:53 AM
  #7  
nesikachad's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Default

Roller cam or flat tappet?

Remember, roller's need a bronze gear!
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:24 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE