Engine Rebuild - now times off the timing mark

[Firemanshort]

I just rebuilt my engine. It runs. But, when I tune it by ear, the timing is an inch off the timing marks (appears way too far advanced). If I tune it back to the marks, the engine will not run or start.

What could be the cause of this? (ie: How do I fix it?)

It runs fine (as far as I know) tuned this way - it just just not seem right.

[1962siia88]

Sounds like the dist is off by a tooth or so.

Daniel

[slorocco]

If the distributor drive was off by a tooth or so you would simply have to turn the distributor a little farther to get the timing where it should be, but that shouldn't change the sweet spot for timing the motor.

Is it possible that the cam timing is off by a tooth?

[1962siia88]

Im not familiar with the older v8s. What are the marks on the crank pulley? Are there multiple marks, and if so which mark are you using for timing? An inch advanced from 0 tdc doesn't sound crazy off to me.

I'm sure someone who knows better than I will chime in.

Daniel

[Ren Ching]

confirm that TDC on the pulley is actually TDC

[Santiago Montenegr]

What Ren Ching said. Be ware that 3.5s like to run with far more advance than the book would have you believe.