Technical engine vin help. Yes I searched,,

I bought a started on project ( 48 Willys pickup) with a small block chevy Vin. T6U513443 , I tried to time it and could not get timing mark to come around to the tab. ran it up to top dead center timing mark is straight up like some late model eng. I cant find the Vin # anywhere anyone have a suggestion

 

what does the VIN number have to do with the timing? FYI...no such thing as a VIN in 48 anyway. Sounds like it has the wrong balancer/timing tab combo on it or the balancer has slipped. I would just bring it back to TDC and make a new mark on the balancer and time it to that mark. Drive it and check it again.....if it has moved then the balancer is bad. You did disconnect the vacuum advance and set the correct idle speed before checking the timing....right?

 

opps sorry: its a small block chevy eng. I think I need to get the correct balancer for eng. , yes vac. was disconnected , I think it has wrong balancer, as I said I ran it up to tdc and balancer timing mark was straight up. eng. has traditional timing tab,, I made a new mark on balancer and got it timed close to where it should be, but I think it would be tough to guess exact tdc

 

Hook it to a vacuum gauge and rotate distributor for highest vacuum. If it pinks, back it off a tad. Sounds like you have no idea as to general state of tune of the engine anyway, this will allow it to run it's best.

Cosmo

 

the engine is from a 1976 GMC truck, if that's what you're asking.

There should be another engine number sequence stamped on it also, something like F1213TCL or something. That will give a little more info about what it is.

 

take out the # 1 plug -...and stuff a rag in # 1....you know which one - on a sbc is???....when it blows out should be tdc....mark it - adjust from there.....just sayin'......

 

If you can find a 60's or early 70's Motors Manual, as I recall Chev/ GM produced small blocks
with two different firing orders , check the manuals.

,............................... Jack

 

That was Ford, with the 351W motor.

 

And don’t feel bad. I have seen mismatched balancers on SBCs many times. There are so many different but interchangeable SBC parts that you are likely to find almost any combination. But that is also the beauty of SBCs.

 

Make sure that it is not out of a van. TDC is up toward the center on them.

 

First thing is to verify that the balancer is a) the right one, and b) is good and the outer ring hasn't slipped on a disintegrating elastomer ring.

Once you get beyond that, you can use a piston stop to accurately find TDC. Screw it into the #1 spark plug hole, turn the engine over (by hand...not with starter) until the piston makes contact, and then go back around in the other direction until it makes contact that way. TDC is exactly in the middle of those two spots.