1985 Chevy Malibu timing chain

180,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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HOTSOS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
i recently changed the timing chain on my 1985 el camino 4.3 v6 and after i put it back together it ran but has very little low rpm power

i tried to adjust the timing with the distributor but if i turn it one way it stalls out and if i turn it the other way it backfires and sputters

could i have put the chain on one tooth off?
i thought if i did that it wouldnt even run

it runs good just has very little power

the timing chain didnt break before i changed it
Jan 7, 2008 at 12:18 AM
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BMRFIXIT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 19,053 POSTS
[quote:7dc2d13385="hotsos"]Engine problem
1985 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 180000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
i recently changed the timing chain on my 1985 el camino 4.3 v6 and after i put it back together it ran but has very little low rpm power

i tried to adjust the timing with the distributor but if i turn it one way it stalls out and if i turn it the other way it backfires and sputters

could i have put the chain on one tooth off?
i thought if i did that it wouldnt even run

it runs good just has very little power

the timing chain didnt break before i changed it[/quote:7dc2d13385]


its very possible that you have jumped a tooth or two
the car will still run but no power
and you had power before the job was done ?
let me know
good luck !!!
Jan 7, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Avatar
HOTSOS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
[quote:1d1a079b55="BMRFIXIT"][quote:1d1a079b55="hotsos"]Engine problem
1985 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 180000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
i recently changed the timing chain on my 1985 el camino 4.3 v6 and after i put it back together it ran but has very little low rpm power

i tried to adjust the timing with the distributor but if i turn it one way it stalls out and if i turn it the other way it backfires and sputters

could i have put the chain on one tooth off?
i thought if i did that it wouldnt even run

it runs good just has very little power

the timing chain didnt break before i changed it[/quote:1d1a079b55]


its very possible that you have jumped a tooth or two
the car will still run but no power
and you had power before the job was done ?
let me know
good luck !!![/quote:1d1a079b55]


yes it had alot of power before i changed it

the timing chain was perfectly fine before i did the job too i just did it as a preventative

i didnt line anything up when i did the job i just took it apart and put it back together in the same way it was but it could have moved.... its a real bummer

i just thought it wouldnt run at all if i had jumped a tooth

not happy to hear that i was wrong but thats what i get for doing thing fast instead of smart...

i appreciate it man
Jan 10, 2008 at 2:25 AM
Avatar
BMRFIXIT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 19,053 POSTS
[quote:e295dcd1de="hotsos"][quote:e295dcd1de="BMRFIXIT"][quote:e295dcd1de="hotsos"]Engine problem
1985 Chevy Malibu 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 180000 miles
----------------------------------------------------------------
i recently changed the timing chain on my 1985 el camino 4.3 v6 and after i put it back together it ran but has very little low rpm power

i tried to adjust the timing with the distributor but if i turn it one way it stalls out and if i turn it the other way it backfires and sputters

could i have put the chain on one tooth off?
i thought if i did that it wouldnt even run

it runs good just has very little power

the timing chain didnt break before i changed it[/quote:e295dcd1de]


its very possible that you have jumped a tooth or two
the car will still run but no power
and you had power before the job was done ?
let me know
good luck !!![/quote:e295dcd1de]


yes it had alot of power before i changed it

the timing chain was perfectly fine before i did the job too i just did it as a preventative

i didnt line anything up when i did the job i just took it apart and put it back together in the same way it was but it could have moved.... its a real bummer

i just thought it wouldnt run at all if i had jumped a tooth

not happy to hear that i was wrong but thats what i get for doing thing fast instead of smart...

i appreciate it man[/quote:e295dcd1de]

let me know if you need the marks
Jan 10, 2008 at 5:31 AM
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