Thread: installed N1 cams, but dstributor almost out of adjustment?

I installed the N1 cams, and made sure that that were 20 chain link pins between those two marks. Upon startup, I properly broken in the cams by blipping the throttle between 2k-3k rpms for about 10 minutes.
Then I checked the timing, and it was wayyy too advanced even though I put the distrubtor almost exactly where I had it before. I had to turn the distributor clockwise (looking from driver side), and now I only have maybe 1cm more adjustment to retard the timing. Currently it is at about 17 degrees. The car runs fine, but I was just curious if anyone else had this happened to them before as well.

well, each tooth on the cam gear is 10* of timing, so if it is out ten degrees then it is possible the cam timing is fubard. Also, rotating the dizzy clockwise is advancing it...

Yes I meant counterclockwise.
Also, I guess i can check the number of chain link pin again since it has been running for a while. Is there another way to check if my camtiming is off?

be careful. you dont want to bend a valve or snap a cam. Also check that the slot on the exhaust cam for the distro is good.

pop the cover and reconfirm the cams are clocked right and put a long screwdriver or something in the #1 cylinger to confirm tdc. The rubber damper in the crank pulley slips from time to time.

If all else checks out, I had a bent distributor plate that created the same problem.

Distributor plate?

If you didnt release the chain tensioner after you put it back in and turn the motor over by hand, then chances are you skipped a tooth when you started it.

Well, I did turn the cams by hand, maybe that was the problem? I figured it was just as good to turn the cams by hand and crank pulley by hand... Either way if I skipped a tooth, would I still be reading 20 chain link pins between the two marks? If so, how would I fix it?

The cams could be in the right place relative to each other (as per the 20 links), but out of timing relative to the crank (which could explain your timing symptoms). Hopefully this is not your problem because it would mean that you need to reposition the timing chain as it relates to the crank pulley. This generally requires that the front engine cover be removed which is a PITA with the engine in the car.

There is like a main link and then a secondary link. The timing marks goes on the main link.