I have a 84 z28 and im not sure what the problem is. Im getting some low compression, around 65 in all except 2. It has a stock 305 in it. I checked the timing chain and it was loose as hell so my friend replaced it... so here is the first question...

If the 2 dots on the timing things(forgive my lack of knowledge) the timing chain sits on arent touching, will the car be out of time? The haynes says they need to be touching but my friend put both of them up and says it will eventually touch because when the bottom spins once the top spins twice.. or something.. i think hes wrong because i would think the book is right. after the change no change in compression. Will that cause my timing to still be off?

Also i was reading online about some compression repair stuff i can put in the cyllinders to restore compression temperarly until i can afford a 350 to drop in it... is this stuff for real? and how long will it last? i just need to get back and forth to work until i can buy a motor... thanks for looking.

 

1) Find your buddy. Smack the **** out of him. Smack him some more. Then smack him again. Then stab him and choke him with his own intestines. You have installed your timing gears incorrectly and attempting to start this engine could result in CATASTROPHIC failure. Those two dots need to be facing each other.

2) The 'compression stuff' you talk about is a snake oil treatment called 'Restore' if I remember correctly. Some people have reported good results with it. Its not a miracle cure and will not suddenly make your car run like new. It may not even help you.

Sorry to bear the bad news like this......................................

 

Redo the compression test. Record the numbers, then pour a little oil in each cylinder. If the number goes up, it's worn rings. If it says about the same, it's valves.

 

NO, NO, NO, THE TIMING MARKS ARE NOT WRONG!!!! Don't smack your friend, unless you want to for the hell of it. The crank gear rotates twice for every one revolution of the cam gear. So, when both marks are straight up, the engine is at TDC #1 cylinder. When both marks are facing each other (crank up, cam down) the engine is at TDC #6 cylinder. Nothing catastrophic, but it makes a difference where you put the distributor in (TDC #1 compression stroke). The reason the manual says to have the marks facing each other is because it's easier to line them up that way. Then you would need to turn the engine over to put the marks straight up anyway to line it up for dropping the distributor in.
Either way though, I'd say the engine is tired and really needs to be rebuilt. Low compression and the extreme sloppy timing chain you had says high miles.

 

Smack him anyways. I hope to hell this guy really knows what hes doing.......