V6 Timing Expert Needed

[KB Services]

Started out as a R&R on a water pump. Didn't set TDC so started from scratch. Pulled the intake, valve covers, loosened the rocker studs and rolled the crank to #1 TDC. Set the cams at the alignment marks and replaced the belt. While the plugs were out I rolled motor over a dozen or so times with no binding.replaced the distributor and set it at #1 wire ( I never pulled the wires from the cap so location is correct) put everything else back on and fired it. Fired off okay but on the road under load it has valve chatter or knocking. Reset the timing, moved it a tooth each way and it's still there. I done WRONG

[kellyb420]

sounds like your timing is retarted a bit much try to advance it a little by turning your distributor counter clockwise just alittle while the engine running and see if you can here the engine speed up a little. or could just be low octane gas.

[KB Services]

I tried moving the timing to no avail. Going to pull the top timing cover to check the cams when it's at TDC to see were they are. Maybe my cranks off by 1 tooth and it hasn't samked the valves yet?

[Big-Bird]

Geez, you're having no luck at all with your truck are you.

I bet it was a cam shaft position since the one bank has a valve that is set to open with #1 at the TDC position. All it takes is to be out one tooth on the cog to knock out the timing.

[KB Services]

This old pig won't die. Not that hard to work on but sure is starting to piss me off. Need to pull the top timing cover to see if they're at TDC?

[Big-Bird]

If it was me....I'd pull all the covers off and make sure everything lined up. The 3.0 can be a bit finicky in the timing set up and as you have alread seen, can be a real source of frustration. If I was close to your neck of the world I would be there to help you out....but I'm afraid you're gonna have to learn the hard way...trial and error.

PS you only need to remove the timing belt covers. Nothing else needs to be yanked so it's not that big of a job.

[T45]

You said you loosened the rocker arms. Why? Did you tighten them back up?

[NM50]

CHECK YOUR PRODUCTION DATE ANDTHE PART # OF YOUR BELT. THERE IS A BREAK IN BELT DESIGNS.SQUARE AND ROUND TOOTH DESIGNS.