Register now to get rid of these ads!

911 - Nailhead Valve Timing Help Needed

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by fms427, Aug 22, 2011.

  1. fms427
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 865

    fms427
    Member

    Just trying to start the 322 nailhead - less than a week from the show - and I have a serious case of "no compression" :eek:- valve timing appears to be about 90 deg. out - so, I wisely suspect the cam is in wrong. My memory being what it is, I can't really remember timing marks we used - an internet search shows Chevy like timing marks on the 401's - but I can't find anything on the earlier engines - if they are different. Can someone give me a picture of how the timing marks line up on a 56 322 nailhead? If it makes any difference, it is a truck short block, 56 pass car heads, and an Isky cam. Thanks !
     
  2. fms427
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 865

    fms427
    Member

    OK - I found an old Motors manual that shows how a 56 goes in - and as I remember that is how we put it in. But, obviously wrong. Is there something different about the truck engine ??
     
  3. Mart
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 4,893

    Mart
    Member

    Sorry if I've missed something, but did Buick build trucks???

    Mart.
     
  4. Ole don
    Joined: Dec 16, 2005
    Posts: 2,915

    Ole don
    Member

    Buick nailheads were used in the big Chev and GMC trucks, as were Pontiacs. When GM came out with the 348 truck engine, that stopped.
     

  5. fms427
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 865

    fms427
    Member

    Help - where are the nailhead experts ???
     
  6. Mart
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 4,893

    Mart
    Member

    Right - my '62 Motors manual shows the 55-56 timing gears with the dots to the right*, and 12 teeth of the chain between them. (teeth numbers 1 and 12 on the dots) The chain should have bright plated washers on these links.
    The cam keyway is at 6 o'clock and the crank keyway is about half way between 10 and 11 o'clock. (I'm guessing no.1 is at tdc.)
    the 57-62 engines have the cam and crank in the same positions, but the dots are in line with each other, on the center-line.

    Gotta turn in now, if you need a snap of the picture I can take one for you tomorrow.

    My Y-block has the same setup - must have been something popular at the time. I also set mine up wrong the first time round!
    Mart.


    * Dots to the right, when looking at the pulleys, strictly speaking, they are to the left side of the vehicle, or US driver's side.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2011
  7. zman
    Joined: Apr 2, 2001
    Posts: 16,730

    zman
    Member
    from Garner, NC

    I wish I could be of help, but I don't do/know 322's, I know enough to know that there is a lot different between them and the 364/401/425's
     
  8. Chris Casny
    Joined: Mar 13, 2006
    Posts: 4,874

    Chris Casny
    Member

    Here is a timing chain illustration.
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    To add to the diagram that Chris posted here are the written instructions in the 1956 National Service manual
     

    Attached Files:

  10. fms427
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 865

    fms427
    Member

    Thanks, guys. I think the cam was installed as shown on the 56 diagram - (I'm pulling it apart tomorrow to make sure). Since that doesn't appear to give the right timing, I'm wondering if the truck short block (which was a 57) went to the newer system ?? Anybody know ?? Then the other question is what parts changed an which do I have..........probably time to get out the degree wheel....
     
  11. fms427
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 865

    fms427
    Member

    Chris or Mart - would you have the same diagram for a "Chev Thriftmaster 322" engine - 57-59 truck nailhead ? Thanks - Stan
     
  12. rjaustin421
    Joined: May 1, 2009
    Posts: 337

    rjaustin421
    Member

    I feel a foolproof way to check if a cam is in time is to check what is often called the rock over. That is when the piston is moving up and chasing the exhaust valve. Just before the piston comes all the way up the exhaust will close and just as the piston starts down again the intake begins to open. The valves should be "rocking" open & closed if you move the crank back & forth bringing the piston up and down.

    If you are off a tooth (or teeth) the valves will not be remotely close to rocking. Even with a heavy overlap cam the pistons and valves will be doing this dance. With a bit of creative thinking you can move the cam timing around in the rockover position and find the correct timing point.
     
  13. Mart
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 4,893

    Mart
    Member

    My book states that the 57 engines are timed with the two dots pointing at each other on the center line.

    Mart.
     
  14. George/Maine
    Joined: Jan 6, 2011
    Posts: 949

    George/Maine
    Member

    The figure 8 is correct to 56 but i have no 57 book but in 58 they went to point to point.If you have a orginal small gear from key to right is 3 teeth this would be 58
    So if you remarked top keyway down and crankshaft gear 3 teeth over to right like pic same thing.
     
  15. fms427
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 865

    fms427
    Member

    Thanks to all of you that helped. Turns out we timed it like a later nailhead - OOPS:eek: ! Timed it like a 56 should be and - WOW - we have compression !! Thanks again.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.