Timing issue

[crateracer16]

Got the new motor fired up finally. Put the timing light on it and it will only run at "47" degrees and above. If I try to retard it, it will run like crap and wont start. It starts pretty easy and isn't getting hot at "47" degrees. Tried 2 different lights with same result. Any ideas would help a lot. Thanks. It's a sbc 418 with brodix aluminum heads and msd ignition

[perfconn]

Do not use a light with a dial

[crateracer16]

I used 2 different digital lights. When the motor was assembled they used a tdc indicticator on #1. I have timing tape on the balancer with no other marks.

[Dirt Knife]

Hmmmmm

Wrong timing tab for ballancer size??

[crateracer16]

Using the same setup as I did last year.

[widcard22]

16 volt battery?????? If so it will show wrong timing higher than normal...( with digital lite )

[crateracer16]

12 volt battery and I have hooked up to 2 different batteries. I can get it down to 34 degrees and it will run but it will not restart. It acts as if it is too retarded to start. If I advance it just a little it will fire right up.

[Crash 4]

Wires on pickup in distributor swapped possibly. They will run like that, but will not run right.

[crateracer16]

Are you talking about the black/orange and black/purple? Coming out of the base of the dist?

[Crash 4]

Yes try reversing them, see if it helps.

[crateracer16]

Swapped the wires and it was a little better but still not right. I can get it down to 32 degrees and it ran great but it just will not restart there. I have to advance it about 10* to get it to fire up. I recently replaced the magnetic pickup in the dist. I got the mag as close to the reluctor as I could get without touching, would it possibly be to close and its picking up more than one signal? Thanks

[twisterf5]

i timed two engines last night first 4 cly timed fine second 602 crate on MSD could not time the 602 timing light was reading 7000 when it was idling.hooked light straight to battery instead of the charging post then it would work so i think that car has some typ of short in it's wiring. maybe you have some typ of problem like that. on my own car i always run the light off my jump box. i use a matco digital adjustable light and never had a problem with it.

[crateracer16]

I though that may of been my problem so I've been running it off of my winch battery(which is a brand new red top optima)

[twisterf5]

I though that may of been my problem so I've been running it off of my winch battery(which is a brand new red top optima)

but is it in the car or just on the ground. ??? is there a cam button in the engine. cam could be walking messing with the timing.

[twisterf5]

and what is the cam set at if installed wrong ( not degree in ) that would make you have to run that much timing and would start hard.