Timing issues really crappy timing issues

[24_4life]

Ohk so I rebuilt this ka with the high compression pistions and I used the dual exaust cams and when I put the cams in I didn't align the timming marks on the chains. As a result I cant use the timing marks on the pulley. I got my car to start and it runs, the problem is though it misses alot at low rpms and I cant give it alot of throttle at all or else it will start to die. I have the distributer rotated all the way clockwise (that is where it revs best). I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions on whether my timming appears to be retarted to much or if it is advanced way to much. There is no apparent knocking when it misses but it could be that silent knock if it is igniting way way in advance (while the piston is all the way down) If I rotate the teeth on the distributor which way would I want to rotate it? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I really wish I had tore the motor back apart and lined up the timing chains, but now it is in the car and I really don't want to do that. I was just going to mark on the pulley with chalk every point at which the first cylinder reaches top dead center then use a timming light to find which chalk mark represents my new top dead center/fireing point then paint it in and use it as a basis for my new timming. Is this all I can do?

[Red coupe]

the timing marks on the chain just match up with the marks on the pullys, they are just a guide to help set up the physical timing, the marks dont techncaly have to match up but the same number of links must be in between each sproket so that the 2 cams and crank turn in time with each other, if that is off no ammount of fiddling with the ignition timing is going to correct it. the ignition timing is just how soon before TDC the spark is made, but that wont fix your problem if the cam shafts are not properly opening the valves in time with the crank shafts rotation.

[24_4life]

the car runs. and from what I understand the car wouldn't run if the cams were off. Even so the problem gets better and worse depending on the ignition timing. All I want is an easy way to figure out if I need to advance the timing or retard the timing. The motor hesitates at low rpms and I cant give it full throttle or it dies. Perhaps it isn't timing at all. It could be some sensor somewhere has taken a @%#$. I am just looking for some suggestions. Thank you for your help though I don't mean to sound like a prick Its late I need to go to bed.

[Red coupe]

If you just put the chain on with out matching the marks or turning it over a few times and re checking the cams and cranks timing it is possible you got close but just a link off or something, it could still run, just really poorly...also when useing two exhaust cams the one replacing the one replacing the intake needs to be somehting like 4 links advance or retarted(if you dont know about this theirs a thread somewere..I dont know much about it)

[:: orion ::]

I used the dual exaust cams and when I put the cams in I didn't align the timming marks on the chains. As a result I cant use the timing marks on the pulley...

What, huh?

Yes you can.

The pulley shows when the motor is at TDC, and where the timing is in relation to that. Has NOTHING to do with cam timing.

IF you installed the cams and the timing is off...you need to fix that! Not try to determine ignition timing in some other manner.

The motor can run (barely) with the cams off a tooth or 2.

Fix that, then use the crank pulley to set timing.

- Brian