1985 Chevy Malibu timing chain

HOTSOS

MEMBER
1985 CHEVROLET MALIBU
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
180,000 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

3 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

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 !

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Monday, January 7th, 2008 AT 7:45 PM

HOTSOS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

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

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Thursday, January 10th, 2008 AT 10:25 AM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

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

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Thursday, January 10th, 2008 AT 1:31 PM