Hey guys, I havent been on for quite a long time because my daily driver has been running like a dream... well, that dream has turned into a nightmare! WAKE ME UP PLEASE!!! First a little back ground... Last Wednesday I leave work and it started up fine, stopped for gas and it started up fine, went to the store - and when I came out it was dead... just a little clicking. I jumped it and it started up fine. Did oil change Thursday (not that it matters, but I did one) Friday I come out from work and the idle is way high and it wont kick down... Come home and when I shut it off it sputters for a while and does this little sickly cough. Saturday I change out the spark plugs and coil, start her up and its running like a helocopter which made me feel like it was missing a beat somewhere. Sunday it is dead again... I put the cables to it and it wont turn over... take the cables off and all I get is clicking... put the cables back on and it tries to turn over, but nothing. Take the cables off and its dead. I went out and got a new battery and all it does is attempt to turn over, but nada. Im lost... what does this sound like to you guys? I have a buddy coming over later to check the timing, but doesnt it have to be running to check the timing or am I wrong? Anything else? I was thinking maybe something along the lines of Distributer...
Is your kick down stuck? Do you have a good chassis ground, mine soem of that (clinking whne trying to start) until I totally replaced the battery ground cable, new cable end did not work, was advised on this site, my be corrosion up under the cable insulation. no problems since, the bad Idle could be a vaccum leak or hose slipped off, I had one on my carb that did that periodically had to get a little hose clamp on it.
Pull the fuel pump off and stick a screwdriver or similiar tool in the opening and push on the timing chain. Should not have more than a 1/4in slack(no slack is ideal on fresh motor). Had a 289 doing the same thing years ago, till I changed out the timing set.
I'm leaning in Dave's (Old Guy)corner.....Better yet, While watching to rotor button...turn the fan blde in one direction to see the rotor move,now turn the opposite direction. If you moved more than a couple of inches before the rotor moves.....move than likely it has jumped timing. Sounds like it has jumped at the timing chain.....and NO, if you have point ignition, it doesn't have to be running to check the timing
Where is the best (or only) place to check timing at? One of my other cars was at the first spark plug... is it the same on these old Mavs?
You can check the timing with a 12 volt test light and the dist. cap removed......this procedure will put you in the ball park so you can play the game......I did it on my '64 just to see if it could be done. Shur-enuf.....it works for me
