I'm not too good at diagnosing engine problems so I'm coming here. I have a 79 302 in my 56, with a Holley Carb. The last few weeks it has had trouble starting once in a while. I would have to get out, loosen the distributor, and jiggle it back and forth to get the engine going. And it would go fine. Today it's doing it everytime, and has gotten worse. Now I can't start it at all without moving the distributor. Once I get the engine going it stalls very easily, and once again I have to jiggle the distributor to get it going. Are these symptoms of a timing chain problem? Or am I overlooking the carbuerator? (which might have a blown power valve, I'm not sure). Thanks if anyone can help. I'd love to get this thing going tonight so I can go on a truck run with the effie club I'm in tommorrow.

 

What type of distributor do you have? stock points, you may want to change to an Electronic ignitions. It sounds like you have a bad distributor or your points are not set correctly.

 

I checked the points and the gap was completely closed, so I reset the gap to the right setting. But that didn't help the problem at all. I'm pretty sure now it's the timing gears and/or timing chain. Thanks

Craig

 

If that doesn't fix it, I would pull firmly on each wire coming out of the distributor. Run down the length of each wire between your thumb and index finger, feeling for a break in the wire. When you pull firmly, you might see the wire start stretching like a rubber band. This would be an internal break in the wire from constant vibration. Also, if anybody has ever replaced the wire from the points plate, to the distributor housing, I would be suspicious because this wire is sort of like meter lead wire, very many strands and very flexible. The points plate moves constantly and needs this special wire.

 

If you suspect that the timing chain is loose an easy way to check is 1) roll engine to TDC so you can see the timing marks. 2) take off the distributor cap 3) roll the engine back and forth by hand see how much the crank turns before the distributor rotor moves. Anything more than 8 degrees is not good and you should probably replace the timing chain. If you do replace it make sure you get a good quality replacement not the stock nylon coated one. Hope this helps. Oh the power valve in your carb won't cause starting problems.