Could my initial timing really be at 35 deg?

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   Little update. Running 12 degrees has been pretty smooth, but been afraid to bump timing up until I replace the very worn dist and cam gears. I just spent about 850$ on new parts for this thing to make me feel confident about reliability and driving it 3 hours away to the beach.
-Robbmc mechanical fuel pump
-rollmaster timing chain set
-msd cam and dist gear set
-oil pump midplate
-edelbrock heat insulation gasket

Ive still got low fuel pressure at a fluctuating 3.25 to 4psi after the pump replacement, next move is to reduce my fuel return orifice from .063 to .050 to try and get closer to 5.5psi per the edelbrock manual

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DOJOLOACH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Sep/16/2025 Location: Charlotte North Status: Offline Points: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote DOJOLOACH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/21/2026 at 7:45pm
	Little update. Running 12 degrees has been pretty smooth, but been afraid to bump timing up until I replace the very worn dist and cam gears. I just spent about 850$ on new parts for this thing to make me feel confident about reliability and driving it 3 hours away to the beach. -Robbmc mechanical fuel pump -rollmaster timing chain set -msd cam and dist gear set -oil pump midplate -edelbrock heat insulation gasket Ive still got low fuel pressure at a fluctuating 3.25 to 4psi after the pump replacement, next move is to reduce my fuel return orifice from .063 to .050 to try and get closer to 5.5psi per the edelbrock manual

BassBoat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Aug/29/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1931	Post Options Post Reply Quote BassBoat Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/23/2026 at 7:40pm
	Hey, if you used the MSD gears, which is what I thought was safe and I recommend, and are rapidly wearing.... Did you know to check the oil passages that provide oil to those gears? There are bad cams, bad timing sprockets, bad gears, and bad timing covers out there. BB

DOJOLOACH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Sep/16/2025 Location: Charlotte North Status: Offline Points: 15	Post Options Post Reply Quote DOJOLOACH Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/23/2026 at 8:06pm
	Hey Bassboat, I haven't installed the gears yet, I believe the set on there now are original with 80k-120k miles. I do plan to read and review several writeups on here about the gear oiling fixes. I was able to fit my finger onto the cam gear through the fuel pump hole though and it felt moderately oily, we will see when I get it off though

Orangepeelout Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Fan Joined: Apr/13/2017 Location: Wash state Status: Offline Points: 17	Post Options Post Reply Quote Orangepeelout Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 hours 48 minutes ago at 8:52am
	Hey DojoLoach, Writing to ask if you solved the issue with the timing. Just re-installed my 360 and have the exact same issue, in spades. Initial timing reading 45 Degrees. Idle at 850, my buddy says no big deal, just remark the timing and live with it. Please, let me know what your solution is. Thanks, Robert (Orange peel out)