Very confused with timing gears?

10 is stock isn't it? How did it do around 14? That small of an amount in the pic wouldn't hurt anything. Any chance you cam pin is sheared? Are you sure you don't have the valves too tight?

what he said^, the gears are fine, your problem lies elsewhere

How much deflection do you have in your timing chain? If it deflects more than 1/2" on the left hand side (according to your pic, as the other side has the slack taken up) then it's time to replace it. Just looking at your pic, it looks like you'll have more than that, so your chain is probably stretched.

You need to degree the camshaft to ID "where" it is installed in terms of valve events. The "dot-to-dot" or "straight-up" installation (as it is wrongly called)..... could mean the E-303 is off by 4° either way (advanced or retarded). This is true for any OTS camshaft BTW.... BTSTDT many times. Last TFS1 I checked "dot-to-dot" (January) was 6° retarded, and an E303 I decided to install 4° advanced had to be installed in the "0" position (or "dot-to-dot" position) to end up with the 4° advanced position.

joel5.0 said:

You need to degree the camshaft to ID "where" it is installed in terms of valve events. The "dot-to-dot" or "straight-up" installation (as it is wrongly called)..... could mean the E-303 is off by 4° either way (advanced or retarded). This is true for any OTS camshaft BTW.... BTSTDT many times. Last TFS1 I checked "dot-to-dot" (January) was 6° retarded, and an E303 I decided to install 4° advanced had to be installed in the "0" position (or "dot-to-dot" position) to end up with the 4° advanced position.

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I had to Joel.

If you assume the dot-to-dot position is the correct spot to be installed (you are fooled inmost cases), then that cam is probably 4°-6° retarded, maybe 8°. So either the cam dowl pin is in the wrong spot, or the timing gear marks are off. Who knows!

And thats a sure reason to degree that cam. But with out an adjustable timing set, you cant.

From where you are at, I guess I would degree the cam in, or at least verify where it is.

Then reassemble noting all the details. Valve settings, etc. Then check compression.

When it is running, check the engine vacuum levels, etc. Fuel pressure and response to vacuum, ignition timing and advance, etc. Definitely scan it running, etc.

I have ran into problems like this before also. You just might be over thinking it not saying you are but it happends. Go back to the basics. Start with turning your motor to top dead. Pull the spout from the distributor. Hook up your timing light. loosen your distributor. start it it should start and run like ****. Use the light and turn the disributor till you get somethin like 12 to 14 BTDC. at 12 to 14 it should be running like a champ. tighten down the dist. put the spout back in and you should be good to go.

yea you may know this already but just helpin. Also i'm assuming you have a fuel injection newer motor. You never said what year it is. Also its only like 35 buck for a new timing set I would buy one your looks like its streched.

If you do what I said there should be no way that thing wont idle for you even if the cam is off 4 some deg. If it wont still then you have other issues that need help. Valves etc...

Hope it helped.