61' 394 cid timing, What do you think?

I just recently did the timing chain on my 55 Olds with a 61' 394 in it. I set all timing marks correctly. Cam at 6 Crank at 12. Right. The reason I change it is, before, I had to retard the timing in order for the veh to start. I was told that the sprockets for the timing chain were made of a material where the teeth break. Anyway, no teeth were broken, but since I was there already I replaced it. Now, I seem to be having the same issue. Help, this is kicking my ass. I've set dist. 180 off to see if maybe I was off installing the timing chain, but still nothing. I have spark, fuel and air. Something with the timing is just not right. Could it be something in the distributor?

Before any of this happend I installed pertronix ignition and the veh ran beautiful. From one day to another this crap started happening. Any thoughts and all thoughts are welcomed. I need your help.

 

ttt for some help

 

ttt help

 

start with the basics

sounds like the chain instal is in right
you did put the cam button (and oil slinger) back in didn't you?
pull the #1 plug and coil wire
with a breaker bar on the damper bolt and your finger in the plug hole
roll the motor over by hand until you feel compression
turn the motor to put the pointer right on the TDC mark on the damper
pull the cap and verify that the rotor is pointing at #1 plug wire
check plug wire order
remember Olds' use counter clockwise distributor rotation

personaly I don't care for the pertronics
I see no need for it on those motors
the stock distributor on the 394 is just fine

also if the lifters went back in dry it will take a lot of cranking to fill them to get proper valve action

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I did put the cam button back on. I've already done the basics. I am a little suspicious about the pertronix. I will be going back to original ignition in a bit, I'll let you know what happens.

Anymore thoughts on this problem that I'm having.

 

the trouble started after you installed the Pertronix?

 

Double check your wiring on the pertronix. I've never used one, but with the mopar electronic ignition that I've become rather familiar with, if you reverse the two wires to the pickup it will only start if it's set retarded like you describe.

 

Ok, so i remove the pertronix and installed the points back on and sure enough she started. Damn, pertronix. I know they are great and all, but they failed me this time. Oh well, problem solved. Thanx.