Author Topic: 440 timing marks  (Read 5968 times)

Offline R/T

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440 timing marks
« on: March 01, 2006 - 06:39:30 PM »
 I am having trouble getting my car to idle right and can't find the timing marks. Degree marks are on the passengers side but the mark on the balancer don't show up in the light. I have marked the balancer with a black marker on a blue balancer.Engine is a 74 440 . Also I have been trying to get the idle rpms down but anytime I drop them below 1 grand the car stumbles and shuts off. I have used Chryco's  tuning  recomendations for the Holly carb so I know the carb adjustments are right. Could I have a vaccum  leak that is causing the problem? Any help would be appreciated and if anyone has pics of the timing cover please post it for me.
                                             Thank you, Rick
1973 Challenger (OO/=====\OO)  440 
Hemis and Harleys
2008 Dodge Ram Big Horn Edition  5.7 Hemi




Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: 440 timing marks
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2006 - 12:26:33 AM »
I would tune by ear , bring the engine up to 3000 rpm in the fast idle screw and advance the timing until the RPM stops rising then back it off until it just starts to drop & leave it there , in most cases ir will run better if you do not use the vacuum advance & set it this way & leave the vacuum disconnected after setting the timing
 try inserting a small diameter wire into the idle bleeds to restrict the hole , this should clean up the idle , the idle bleeds are towards the outside of the carb under the choke plate

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Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: 440 timing marks
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2006 - 03:37:39 AM »
Most people mark the timing notch on the balancer with chalk. That shows up well to a timing light. Even with a big cam, you should be able to idle below 1K. Is your tach. accurate?

  Mike

Mike

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Offline Plum6Pak

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Re: 440 timing marks
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2006 - 07:16:21 AM »
This doesn't sound like a timing problem unless it's way off. When did you first start having the problem?
You should still rule it out, you can get your top dead fairly easy. It's called static timing, then you can install the timing tape purchased from any Mopar engine performance supplier then go ahead and time with the light. Just remove the number one spark plug, pull the dist cap off and bump the engine to where the rotor is just coming up towards #1 and make sure the piston is coming up on compression stroke, once you have it top dead on number one (not by the distributor rotor but by the piston travel), mark the dampner to corraspond with your pointer. You may just find your mark if you do that and you could mark it so you can read it better. White shows up well with the timing light. There are a lot of other things that could mess you up too, I have a 360 with a worn out timing chain, if I back off from TDC then turn it back the other way, it takes 7 1/2 degrees before the rotor will turn, it won't idle worth a darn, especially when it's cold. Lots of things could cause the problem. You can check your timing chain when you set your static TDC. If you back it off then rotate it in the correct rotation again, the distributor should move with only very little movement of the crankshaft. Many other things could cause your problem too as Chryco said, the carb is a good place to look, Vacuum leaks etc. Good Luck!

Offline R/T

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Re: 440 timing marks
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2006 - 07:42:15 PM »
Thanks guys, with help like this I will have it back running like a champ in no time. I will keep you updated.
1973 Challenger (OO/=====\OO)  440 
Hemis and Harleys
2008 Dodge Ram Big Horn Edition  5.7 Hemi