Can an engine run with camshaft 180 degrees off?

[johnneilson]

It depends on what is 180 out of time
Crank 180 out no
Cam at 180 is one revolution on crank so no problem

J

[ThirstyThirty]

Originally Posted by johnneilson

It depends on what is 180 out of time
Crank 180 out no Cam at 180 is one revolution on crank so no problem J

years ago, when we was still kids, (17) they had the new Precision Engines (Seattle) hot 327 mill in the 5-7! and i got invited to attend the start up along with a few other neighborhood kids. so off we went to the other guy's home/garage. there is was... in its mighty glory! just waiting to come to life! it was a BIG moment... and then finally, time to crank her... eerrrr, errrrr, errrrr..... and again, eerrrr, eeerrrr.... this n that, over n over! nothing! after about 45 mins of 'f' around with all that, we left and went home. next day, they tried again, this time pulling the sweet lil 5-7 (black) down the road and back. nothing! few pops i was told. so over came another guy, and soon it was running! distr out 180!! (lol)

in my engine building day, i always set it up so first crank of the starter and it was a V-ROOMM! every time! TDC, fuel in carb, good batt, and distr set and checked to produce the spark at plug with a lil twisty... by hand, key ON. if the engine did not immediately start and come to life for its break in run i considered the first start up a failure. keyword: immediate! no variances!!~

I did not have failures!! failures not allowed in my shop!

[Dr Foot]

I had a similar problem and after some time, I discovered that the distributor gear had loosened on its shaft and screwed up the timing. Changed it out and problem solved.