Strange timing problem
 

:confused: Okay, I have my 3.0SC engine in and running, but still have some bugs in the system. One has me somewhat mystified.

I'm having a hulava time setting the timing, and I can't figure out why. Before installing the engine, I set the engine to TDC (timing marks on pully to 12noon) and then stamped marks in my fly wheel so that I could see them through the view hole. Then, I Set the dizzy and static timed to #1 at TDC.

When it was time to get the ting running, I found that it would barely run, and using the timing light, the TDC mark was nowhere to be found! If the timing is static set (TDC and dizzy to #1), shouldn't the mark be visible at idle? It always has on every other car I've had. I don't get it.

I set the timing by ear until the car ran its best, and put the timing light on it, and the timing marks were nowhere to be found at any RPM. With lots of dorking around including resetting the dizzy a tooth over in both directions, I was able to finally get the timing set near the double mark (5 degree advance?). But the car does not run as well when set there. Again, I set the timing by ear and feel and tuned the carbs and seemed to get it in the ball park, but it still doesn't seem right.

The engine runs pretty well except that it does not seem as smooth as it should at idle (kind of chuggie). It drives pretty well pulling to read line pretty smoothly. I have not driven a car with a 3.0 before, so I have no experience to base this on, but it does not seem to have as much power as it should (especially torque). When I've been in 3.2SC cars, there was definately a "push you into your seat" kind of punch, which I expected to have some of here, but I'm not getting that kind of punch. I don't know how much this has to do with the timing issue, but my sense is that there is a relationship here. Despite all this, the car is still pretty quick and fast (compared to the 2.2 six I had before), it just seems that it should be running a bit stronger/smoother.

I'm wondering if I've missed somethjing obvious here in setting things up or if maybe there is something up with my dizzy. I bought it as a reconditioned piece.

This is an '84 3.0 running webers and a Euro spec distributor.

Any thoughts and wisdom out there are greatly appreciated.

Thanks! SmileWavy