Originally posted by blt2tzz
Hi Guys,
I don't know if anybody can help me here. I just bought an 81 z28 with a built small chevy 355. I noticed that when I would try driving it, I could here some pinging sounds. So, I checked the timing and the vacum advance is almost touching the intake. I tried to set the timing with a light at 30 degrees @ 3000 rpms and the motor dies. I tried to pull the distributor out and reset it in and same thing. It will only run if it's against the intake. And suggestions on this matter and what should I begin do. Should I tear it down and see where the timing marks are on the chain. Any help would be appriciated. Thanks again....

chuck
May be you have a balancer that has spun.Is the timing tab in the right location.Do you have the right balancer?You don't have to pull the distributor to do this. Just move the plug wires around on the terminal's one direction or another.You never said how it was built.I would try a little more timing around 34 to 36.If your engine dies with 30 * timing you have some other issues going on.