My '65 Malibu of several months has a "later" 350 motor in it. Having put a new Edel. EPS manifold on it, I had the (points) distributor out. I know how to (re)set a disturbed engine to #1 (not #6) to receive the distributor. Also, know about lining up the oil shaft slot beforehand, and the slight rotation that occurs as the teeth mesh. My question IS: Just how "well / bad" can an otherwise well tuned sbc run -IF I am just ONE TOOTH off?! Mine starts well, idles rough while cold(no choke right now), stumbles occassionally in low-speed accelerating, but Mainly "surges" or 'hunts slightly' while cruising around town with lite throttle, if below 3000 rpm! Highway running is great. (I have changed the points/condensor, set dwell, tried both r44T, R44ts, and some R45's, rebuilt the 650 vac Holley, new fuel filter, new f.pump) Due to working alone, leaning over the car, setting distr. down while adj. oil gear, rotating just slightly to make the damn thing seat, Could have it off by a single tooth. Thanks in advance. Mark

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but, I don't think being off one tooth will hurt anything IF...you still have enough room to rotate the distributor to get your timing where you want it. In other words, the vacuum canistor may hit the firewall or vacuum fittings on the manifold and prevent further rotation to get your timing where you want it.

Dwayne

There's no vaccum leaks around the base of the carb is there? If its pulling air in from outside and not through the carb it could act like that.


Layne...

Thanks for the early replies so far. I agree and "suspected" the first reply, as I guess I did compensate some, since it's 'acceptable' running comes with the timing lite showing the mark advanced off the tab's range by at least an inch and a half. Also, the vacuum/leak answer has me intrigued as the base gasket is new, but is a material I hadn't used before. At a 1200 idle, I only have about 11 psi vac. but so far I had been attributing that to the "lumpy" cam the former owner had installed. Due to lighting, mosquitos, work, etc. I tend to turn wrenches on the weekends. I will advise afterwards, but anyone else, feed me your suggestions. Thanks, Mark.

Could be your vacumn advance coming in & out (if you have it hooked up). If you do try disconnecting, plugging the vacumn side & seeing if the surging goes away when crusing. If it does I suggest getting an adjustable & setting it high enough to eliminate the surging. Good luck.