Timing

RANDYJACKSON

MEMBER
BUICK SKYLARK

Hi, I have a 1990 Buick Skylark. The mileage says 102,000 but the engine looks like it might have been rebuilt. It over heated on the wife and we had a head gasket put in ( $400 ). Drove fine for 2-3 weeks then it stop running on # 3 and 4 cylinders. Car not running how bad can I mess it up so I tore the engine down. Replaced rod bearings, main bearings, rings and gaskets. After putting it all back together I started it, it ran for a second then back fired thru the carb and stalled. Have always been told back firer thru carb means timing is out. So I pulled the timing cover off and the timing marks look to be about 180 out. Why and how do I fix it? Thanks Randy Jackson

1 Reply

HYKNRD

MEMBER
59 POSTS

Backfire can be a timing problem. Sounds like your distributor might be off 180, (if you have a distributor). Align the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley and timing cover and check to see where your rotor is pointing. It should be pointing to #1 terminal with both #1 intake and exhaust valves closed at end of compression stroke Top Dead Center. If not, pull it and make sure that it does.

Good luck