5.0 stockers/ distributors

[7423]

Alan
No start retard, fires right up as soon as I look at the key.


Tim
You got me all worried about this issue. Started mine up today and put a light to it. 32 at idle, 2000, 3000, 4000, didn't have the stones to put it at 5000 in park, ( need to show some love to the 135,000 mile long block)

I agree with the TFI comment, my 94-95 does not use TFI.
Or maybe your Holley needs a fresh download of your tune.

[Ed Wright]

A fresh download to the Holley Commander isn't going to fix anything. Listen to the guy from Holley.

[Tim Ellis]

I'm going to call Holley tomorrow. Today I tried Brand new distrib, cap, rotor, ignition module. Same as before. I think it's gotta be the Commander, or timing slop, or cam gear wear. It's very strange though, it idles at 30 +- degrees, then when you bring up the rpm it stays at 30-33, then after a few seconds you hear the load on the motor change as the timing drops to 15 degrees.

[7423]

Throw a socket on the crank bolt and rock the motor back and forth. Any movement is the chain slop. It would have to be super loose and ready to break to retard 15 degess.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Sounds more like cam walk but should'nt have that issue on windsor due to them having thrust plate between cam and gear,unless it's loose or something else,as cam moves moves back or forth ign.timing changes just like you are twisting the dist,usaully changes with RPM.
I think you mentioned slack between dist/cam gear could be there.
If you are using ford style ign. module may try that,I've seen modules go bad and timing would move around.
It's computer controled may have computer problem?
I don't know if that is any help but might give you ideal.
Mike Taylor3601

[pmrphil]

The only time I've seen cam walk in a windsor style is when a billet cam gear was used, without the required hardened thrust plate.

[Tim Ellis]

I'm gonna try a different MSD box tomorrow if I can. Also starting to wonder about the fact that I'm using a dial back timing light, I've heard you shouldn't use those with MSD, but I have for YEARS. However I didn't usually check at higher rpms, usually just timing at idle...Hmmmm

[buzzinhalfdozen]

Personally I would throw out the cam walk as your issue. Though it appears you found an issue with the cam gear install, the cam simply cannot walk enough in the block to change the timing 15 degrees. The thrust plate prevents it's forward movement, and eventually the lifters will stop it's rearward movement. You mentioned you were going to try another MSD box, did you? Is the dist. wiring near any other high power devices...coil, electric water pump, electric fan? It's not unusual to see a bit of timing flucuation triggering off a dist. 1-3 degrees would be considered normal. Joe

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Cam walk on small/big block chevy happens on roller when timing cover flexes or cam button has to much clearance or if belt drive is'nt shimmed correct,cam moves forward and timing retards because cam gear comes forward does same thing as if you twisted dist.,and if it's severe enough lobes will start hitting sides of other lobes. I saw one idle @ 40 degrees and retard to 0 when revved,you could see timng cover bowed out.

If ford came forward it would advance timing

I have never seen any cam walk issues on ford,but cam walk acts like his description,but I also Tim's problem is more of interference like Buzzin half dozen said,I threw him out alot of things to check as always good to cover basics first.

In case anyone does'nt know and are wondering, flat tappets without thrust plate or method to keep cam from moving,the lobes are on taper so as cam turns the taper pulls cam rearward to keep time gear against block and located
Mike Taylor 3601

[Tim Ellis]

Thanks for the ideas, I'm busy at work, hopefully have more time to look on the weekend.Again, thanks.