cam timing

[vhstroker]

can any one help , i built a 355 ,has a huge custom cam no specs , have set the cam up to standard timing on chain . problem is it wont start unless very very advanced and wont run to good until retarted back to bout 35 degrees . should i pop of timing cover and reset chain at 3 + or3_ . i dont have a degree wheel.

[Calaber]

Spend a bit and get the car to someone who has the degree wheel and can time the thing properly. I bought a used cam for a 350 years ago and it had three separate timing marks on it. I was in the same boat as you - didn't know which mark to use so I picked the middle one. The car started and idled ok, but performance was really flat. It needed to have the cam "degreed". Your problem is the same.

[VR38]

I would maybe check the timing in relation to the dizzy position first.