258 timing

[Zoro]

Trying to time a 258 of unknown vintage, I believe it's from an '86 CJ7 or '87YJ.

After finding the timing marks and chalking the groove in the pulley then shining the timing light at it I'm showing about 35*BTDC...Doesn't seem right to me.

The timing gun I have is a Craftsman with the dial on the back for timing advance. I moved the dial until the timing mark showed 0 on the crank leaving about 35* showing on the gun.

I had the gun hooked up to the #1 wire.

[Draekon]

Did you make sure to disconnect the vacuum advance before checking the timing?  If you have manifold vacuum hooked up to the advance, it could very well be giving you 35*

[Zoro]

Did you make sure to disconnect the vacuum advance before checking the timing?  If you have manifold vacuum hooked up to the advance, it could very well be giving you 35*

Yup, vac advance is disconnected. Just rechecked it and it's showing 33* or 34*.

Slack in the timing chain maybe?

[carnuck]

Does it have the BBD computer carb and control system still?

[Zoro]

Does it have the BBD computer carb and control system still?

No. HEI ignition and Weber 32/36

[Zoro]

Is it possible for the harmonic balancer to move on the crankshaft? Or could I have the wrong damper on this engine? I'm looking at a few photos I took before I swapped the distributor and I've got the distributor pretty close if not exactly where it was before the swap. Engine is running great with gobs of power and no ping or spark knock. Compared to my Eagle the distributor is oriented in the same way. Everything is telling me the timing is spot on, except for the timing gun

[Zoro]

Try the gun on a different car...or two.

Figured out what it was. Didn't have one of the plug wires down 100% and the spark was jumping. Fixed that and getting a clear 10* now.

[vangremlin]

Glad it was an easy fix!