Engine Problems

[Agent Orange]

Yesterday I finally got around to doing my TFI upgrade because my rotor and cap and plugs needed to be replaced anyways. The engine has been burning oil at about a quart every 500-700 miles. I did a compression check and all cylinders were between 185-190 with one hitting 200. Before I did all of this I tried to check the timing, but had an inconsistent light and now realize that the timing was so far advanced that I couldn't even see the mark. Now after all of the swap was done and the timing was set to about 7 degrees advanced, the engine would stumble when hitting the gas hard and on one occasion produced a lot of smoke and small backfire. After that happened the timing changed from 7 to 10+. Now the engine stumbles while idleing. Is it time for a new chain? This engine supposedly was just rebuilt. Where should I set the timing? Thanks in advance!

[Michael]

Sounds like you have your timing in the ballpark. I would check the carb. If it is stumbling and blowing smoke i would bet it is in there. What color is the smoke?? I would say it needs to be tuned all the way around. Take a vaccum gauge and tune it you probably would be very pleased with the results...That is if you do not have any problems with the carb.

[Iron Horse]

Summit Racing (http://www.summitracing.com) is a good source for motor parts. You are right if your timing is moving around that much....new chain. I would say go with a double roller type.

Also, that sounds like alot of compression, but I am not experienced enough in that area to know if that's too much. I would get some more opinions on that.

[Agent Orange]

What's a double roller type chain?

[Iron Horse]

It's a wider chain, like two links side by side. See here (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=14128) (this is for Chevy). I know someone makes one for AMC 360's. Summit does make a nice roller type, but it's not the double set-up. See here (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=656) for AMC chain.

Andy

Edit: Give Summit a call; the picture they show *looks* like a Dbl. set-up.

[ December 21, 2001: Message edited by: Iron Horse ]

[Agent Orange]

I got it fixed. I had wires 5 and 7 switched and I was setting my timing wrong. I was setting it with the vaccuum on the distrib causing it to be severely retarded. Thanks for the help.