Carter AFB 9636 ?

66dartgt said
Im not running vac advance because its easier to start with none anyway and then work towards getting it operational.

I still dont see why this set up pulling such lousy vacuum, 9.5" at 750 rpm. Before I left on this trip I reset the timing to 15 degree btdc, and the vac didnt really improve. When I bumped it to 25 btdc (ridiculous of course) the vac picked up nicely. Im beginning to think i screwed up setting the centerline on this thing. Any easy way to check the CL on a cam installed in the motor ?? Maybe a tight fitting dowel thru the pushrod hole in the head sitting on #1 intake lifter and a dial indicator on top of it to read the lift vs degrees measurement ??

Oh well, might as well go drink some beer (in germany right now). TTUL

How could you mess up the C/L installing the cam ? Only way I see is if you are 1 tooth off on the timing chain. I seen a motor that jump the chain 1 tooth before on a very old chain, motor did run but was very weak, at all speeds.

You should try to take the spark plug out and turn the motor by hand untill the #1 piston is at TDC. You could try to look to see the piston top with a flashlight or stick your baby finger in the hole to feel the piston--don't get it stuck thou-- Move the crank back and forth and try to see if the piston is at TDC. Once it is, look at the timing mark, it should be right at -0-. This way you know if it times at 25 btdc it really is @ 25 btdc, not 10-15. Once in a while the timing marks slip on the balancer.

Did you look at the dist. and make sure the advance is working, sometimes it freezes up because of rust, doesn't take much. The rotor should move 1 way and snap back when let go.

I would check both before checking the timing chain. Taking the cover off is alot of work. You must have line the dots up right, I mean its not that hard to do, unless your eyes are bad.

You did use a good timing chain set, right ? Not some E-bay special made in China with maybe miss match parts.