Timing Problem

[67rstbkt]

So I replaced my distributor because the one in there was making a squeaking noise when it's cold out. I got it in and the car starts and runs fine. I set up my timing light and I can't find the freaking mark, so I advance the dial on my light and finally see the mark, but it's at like 60 degrees. I'm not sure what's going on with this. I set my timing a few months ago and it was fine. Anyone have ideas?
Just to eliminate the possibility, I went and bought another timing light; same results. WTH??

The car is an 85 Grand Prix, stock 305. No vacuum on the distributor, it's the one with the 4 wire connector that you leave unplugged to set base timing.

 

[67rstbkt]

The only theory I have right now is that the rubber connection on the balancer slipped and the outside of the balancer is further in one direction. Not sure what else would cause this.

 

[jimmyp618]

Pull the #1 plug , set to TDC and remark balancer to check to see if it did move on ya .

 

[67rstbkt]

Pull the #1 plug , set to TDC and remark balancer to check to see if it did move on ya .

Now that's a good idea, why didn't I think of that Thanks, I'll go check it out

 

[mickey-d]

If you set your timing "a few months ago", and you just swapped out a distributor, what makes you think that the timing is going to stay the same?? I'm good, but I aint that good, and I've been doing this for, oh, about 45 years. You also might want to make sure you are on the #1 plug wire. Stranger things have happened. ..............mickey-d :shock: :lol:

 

[67rstbkt]

If you set your timing "a few months ago", and you just swapped out a distributor, what makes you think that the timing is going to stay the same?? I'm good, but I aint that good, and I've been doing this for, oh, about 45 years. You also might want to make sure you are on the #1 plug wire. Stranger things have happened. ..............mickey-d :shock: :lol:

I did not think the timing would stay the same, I was just stating that I had just set it recently and the mark was way off this time, which I was not expecting; basically just saying that I did not have any issues setting base time a few months back (November). Doesn't matter anyway, I figured it out. I became retarded for a while and I was not on the #1 wire. I don't know what I was thinking, I guess that's what I get for working on stuff when I'm tired. Thanks for the help...

 

[mickey-d]

I believe that's what they call "sh*t Happens" , and it happens to all of us. Glad you figured it out, and congrats for being honest about it. A lot of guys would have lied their asses off and said any number of things, but you told the truth. :shock: Good job.
mickey-d :lol:

 

[67rstbkt]

I believe that's what they call "sh*t Happens" , and it happens to all of us. Glad you figured it out, and congrats for being honest about it. A lot of guys would have lied their asses off and said any number of things, but you told the truth. :shock: Good job.
mickey-d :lol:

Thanks. I still feel like an idiot, but that helps. I've been working on cars for years (at least 16) and I have no excuse other than I was tired. The forum did help, though. I was setting tdc on number one to verify that my mark was on target and it occured to me that my timing light was hooked up to number two


I figured that I should leave it up in case some other poor schmuck is working on his car late at night and does the same thing. Thanks