Hard Starting

[Phyco5150]

I have a '84 Z28 (now has a 350 in it). It all of a sudden is giving me grief. I can get it running and it sounds great sometimes, others, its real hard starting and when I do get it running I need to reset the timing. Last night everything was cool but today it won't start at all. And I mean not at all. Its making me crazy! Someone please help. :-)

[viking]

Sounds like it jumped time, in case ya don't know this happens when the timing chain gets worn and stretches and can jump (move) one or more teeth making it run poorly or not at all.

[Phyco5150]

I'm trying to exhaust everything esle before I look to the t. chain so if you can think of anything else??? Thanks

[drg84]

Easy way to find out if you jumped time. Do a compression test. if the pressure is way low or too high, your valves are opening at the wrong time. In your case, i would look for too low. Have you poured a capfull of gas down the carb? If it doesnt start, or runs badly, look towards timing chain.

[hambiskit]

I built a 350 for a guy that insisted on running a cam that his brother had left over from his old rod. I looked at the cam and it was not worn too badly so I polished it & installed it as he wished.
At about 35.000 miles it started doing the same as yours, I changed coils, I changed chips, and then I pulled the dist. & found the gear was getting chewed unevenly as it wasn't fitting the cam gear like it should've. I changed the Dist. and all was well for a short time, then it started again.Same same, I pulled the cam & ran the #'s and found out it was a regrind from a local shop, they had used a Lunati core for the regrind, and the gear was done.I replaced it with a NEW cam, rebuilt the Dist. and BINGO ! Ran like a top.....for about 3 days, then the timing chain snaped on hard acceleration, and side loaded the valves thru the piston tops.
I'd change the Timing Chain if it was me.
If you pop off the dist. cap & turn the rotor counter clockwise by hand more than 8 degrees then your chain is too loose.