I have an ATI balancer on my 582 BBC and I think I have a problem. It seems like something must have slipped in the balancer because I have a problem with the timing. The last couple of months last season I had to set the timing on the balancer to 37 degrees to get actually 32 degrees with the timing light. Well, now this season I have had to go back to setting the timing on the balancer at 32 degrees and it shows 32 degrees with the timing light. Do you guys think something is moving on the balancer. Can ATI rebuild these things and if so about how much do you think it would cost. Don't want to spend as much for a rebuild as you can buy a new one for.

Is this on a Crank trigger? Is this a MSD #7230 box?
If so,i would be looking at the Purple + and Green- crank trigger wires and swapping them over at the box.
Also you need to set the timing on a Analog box to the most Retarded setting and the most Advanced setting on a Digital box. The #7330 MSD box will Retard the timing approx 4* so if you want 32* you need to set it up on 36* on the balancer.There is No way that the timing marks can move on a ATI Super Damper.

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I am pretty sure, that outside shell with the timing on it is actually bolted on, so it can't turn. I would check your pointer first. Bring #1 to TDC and see where it points.

What ignition box do you have, is this a crank trigger? If you somehow got the pick up leads reversed, it will move the timing.

Did this happen with the same timing light? Is it a dial back timing light?

quote:

Originally posted by Rookieman:
I have an ATI balancer on my 582 BBC and I think I have a problem. It seems like something must have slipped in the balancer because I have a problem with the timing. The last couple of months last season I had to set the timing on the balancer to 37 degrees to get actually 32 degrees with the timing light. Well, now this season I have had to go back to setting the timing on the balancer at 32 degrees and it shows 32 degrees with the timing light. Do you guys think something is moving on the balancer. Can ATI rebuild these things and if so about how much do you think it would cost. Don't want to spend as much for a rebuild as you can buy a new one for.

You got other issues unless the bolts on the front of the balancer are MIA...

I have seen broken/sheared keys allow the balancer to move on the crank. This can easily occur if the hub of the balancer is too big vs the crank snout, not enough press fit.

I'd double check everything including the ignition system, if you don't find anything take the balancer off.

quote:

Originally posted by Rookieman:
I have an ATI balancer on my 582 BBC and I think I have a problem. It seems like something must have slipped in the balancer because I have a problem with the timing. The last couple of months last season I had to set the timing on the balancer to 37 degrees to get actually 32 degrees with the timing light. Well, now this season I have had to go back to setting the timing on the balancer at 32 degrees and it shows 32 degrees with the timing light. Do you guys think something is moving on the balancer. Can ATI rebuild these things and if so about how much do you think it would cost. Don't want to spend as much for a rebuild as you can buy a new one for.

How the heck do you set the timing at 37 degrees without a timing light? I know you can get it close just by where the pointer is and how you drop in distributor or setup crank trigger.
If I am understanding this correctly then I would say you got ignition box or pickup problems.
I would also agree with checking your timing pointer at top dead center to see what it reads.

I have seen way too many dial timing lights not like MSD. I have proved this several times. I use an old MAC light that I have had for 20 years. As stated before, purple and green wires swapped can also change the timing, or you possibly sheared the keyway. But check the light first! simple and easy!

7al3 box ????

Pull the dampener off and verify the key before throwing money at it. The shell won't move.

What is the best timing light to use with a crank trigger ?

I have got a crank trigger ignition and the box is an MSD -7AL2. I have tried 3 different timing lights so surely they're not all bad. I have never had such a problem. I checked the key way when I had it off and it was good.If everyone says the outside of the balancer cannot slip I guess I will have to check the pickup. I am sure the wires to the crank trigger are not crossed, I haven't had them loose in quite some time. Thanks for all the replys ,I will keep checking.

quote:

I had to set the timing on the balancer to 37 degrees to get actually 32 degrees with the timing light.

can you clarify what you mean by that statement.also if timing is changing as you speak just a guess trigger malfunction.

The OP is using a “Crank Trigger” wheel that is attached to the “Crank”. Cam chains and distributor trigger is NOT being used.

When he states that he sets the pickup at 37* to get 32* advance I believe he means this. Moving the crank to 37* advance on the timing pointer with the engine “Not Running”, he sets the pickup directly under the Crank Trigger “Magnet”. This achieves 32* timing with the light.

My advice to the OP would be this. If the Positive and Negative power connections to the MSD 7al2 are not directly wired to the battery terminal posts I suggest doing this as MSD recommends.

When setting the pickup to trigger wheel distance I suggest using .065” . This is the mean from the .050 - .080” that MSD recommends.

I suggest switching the M+ and M- leads at the 7al2 to see which position produces the lesser advance when checking timing. As stated by another, the lesser timing value is what you want using the analog 7al2 ignition box.

Well if trigger wheel or pickup isn’t coming loose and timing is changing then he got a problem with either pickup or ignition box.
I had issues two years ago I didn’t know I had until I blew head gasket and burnt a head. I sent the box back and MSD said it was good but now my car runs three tenths faster in the 1/8 so maybe box wasn’t bad.

quote:

Originally posted by 421philt:
What is the best timing light to use with a crank trigger ?

I use an old Craftsman but the flaming river battery ones seem to work good also.

quote:

Originally posted by green1:
Well if trigger wheel or pickup isn’t coming loose and timing is changing then he got a problem with either pickup or ignition box.
I had issues two years ago I didn’t know I had until I blew head gasket and burnt a head. I sent the box back and MSD said it was good but now my car runs three tenths faster in the 1/8 so maybe box wasn’t bad.

MSD 7AL3's, the red box is noted for timing retard out of the blue! Can come and go also! Even with a Zero chip in it!!! Been there and got a tee shirt to prove it..........

This was with a 7AL-2