Thread: My old 390 Tbird will only run at 45 btdc???

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Well I'm assuming a couple of things---checked tdc with dial indicator----sooooo, I assume the heads were off???? and since your so far off on the timing that you indicated where the piston topped out at???Not a positive stop type indicator????

your using the correct firing order??? and what year timing gear do you have on the crank???they retarded the cam timing in early 70s with different keyway position

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

your using the correct firing order??? and what year timing gear do you have on the crank???they retarded the cam timing in early 70s with different keyway position

My thoughts also jerry

Now I think we may be getting somewhere --- I don't know what year the gear on the crank is since this engine was together when I got it. How would I determine where the key way should be? I looked at pictures on the internet and all of them looked like the keyway was in the same position as mine (lined up directly with the mark) except for one that I saw that had several slots. Thanks, I'll look into that.

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Well I'm assuming a couple of things---checked tdc with dial indicator----sooooo, I assume the heads were off???? and since your so far off on the timing that you indicated where the piston topped out at???Not a positive stop type indicator????

your using the correct firing order??? and what year timing gear do you have on the crank???they retarded the cam timing in early 70s with different keyway position

I don't recall retarded camshaft timing on the FE but for sure on the 385 engines(429/460) which was 6 to 9 degrees, depending on your info source.

This sounds like whoever assembled this engine got the chain/gears off a tooth or two