JoninFountain wrote:
Going to check chain this weekend
Do you have a timing light?
Disconnect and plug the vacuum advance hose. You don't want the vacuum advance changing the timing. Not plugging the hose creates a large vacuum leak that will affect engine performance.
Make sure the distributor is bolted down securely. (A loose distributor will vary the timing regardless of timing chain condition.)
Use the timing light per directions.
The timing mark will jump around a little ... plus or minus a few degrees ... this is due to differences between cylinders and distributor's internal centrifugal advance compensating for the differences.
If the timing mark jumps around a lot and doesn't stay relatively steady, you have worn timing. Stretched chain, worn sprockets, or both allowing the chain 'slop' around rather than the sprockets turning in unison.
If the timing mark is relatively steady but not on the mark, fix that first. Then, retry.
