Because the cam drives the distributor your ignition timing would also be off.

 

My ignition timing is off and I'm trying to eliminate every possible cause before I tear into the front of the engine. I can get the car to run (roughly) but when I check with a timing light it indicates that it is about 45 degree BTDC. My stock cam calls for 6 degrees. When I set it to 6 the motor just cranks away like there isn't any spark. I checked for spark and it is there it just isn't there when it needs to be.

 

Have you removed the distributor lately? It could be that you are off by a tooth.

 

Sure. Get someone to degree the cam for you. It isn't hard but does require pulling a valve cover. You'll want it to be someone who has done it before and has the knowledge and the few special tools it requires -

 

First off, are you sure you have the timing light hooked up to #1 cylinder (front, pass side?). Second, you can check for timing chain slop by removing the distributor cap, and turning the crank by hand in both directions and noting the distributor rotation. If you turn clockwise a quarter turn or so, then turn back counter-clockwise and the distributor seems to have a "dead" spot before it rotates, this is slop in the chain being taken up before the cam sprocket is pulled by the chain. If you can't remember when, or if the timing set has been replaced, it's probably time.

 

It sounds like it has jumped. You can get a gasket set just for the front. Does not take long to open it up and find out what you have going on.

The best thing that you could find is it jumped but nothing got eatten up (metal bits in the pan). The worst thing might be a few bent valves. A compression or leak down test will tell you if you have this problem.

Doing this work is not real hard, you will have to pull the balancer, so you'll need a balancer puller/installer. I'd suggest you read a manual before you start or plan to ask a few more questions here.

If she is an old motor, this might be a good time to think about a rebuild or a crate motor.

Good luck,

 

When my chain jumped, it bent all 8 of my exhaust valves. I ended up rebuilding the engine. I hope this has not happened to you yet. Pull the timing cover and make sure what's going on before you do any more damage. If your chain has never been replaced and you have no other damage, this would be a good time to replace it "while you at it." Good luck and keep us posted.
Dave

 

I agree - pull the timimg cover and be safe. It doesn't take a lot of miles for a chain to be wasted, either. Mine only had 75,000 but when I pulled the pan to replace it w/ a chrome one, I saw the chain was shot. Be safe. Tony