Could a sloppy timing chain make it hard starting? This is on a 318 industrial

 

If The chain is so loose that it skipped a gear or two ya, the engine would also not run very well if that happened, the timing would be off so that could be a indication of that.

 

If it had been running correct ? I would put a timing light on it to see if it changed Also do a compression test. Low compression will make it hard to start

 

It runs fine once you get it running. I was just wondering with a sloppy timing chain if it would advance or retard the motor enough to make it hard starting, as far as I can tell it has not jumped a tooth..

 

I guess it depends on where the timing is set. I would say generally, "no," but "back in the day" some of the '70s' cars were timed right at TDC, in some cases AFTER TDC. If the chain had 10* of slop, that would only make this worse.


By the way, where is your timing, and how do you know it's accurate?

 

Hard starting can be attributed to fuel / air mixture and the atomization temperature of the two. What is the climate like where you are? Does your carb have a choke on it? Need a little more details on the age of the motor, last tune up, battery condition.....

 

You can tell to some extent how loose the chain is by Turning the crank back and then forward while watching the distributor rotor. Most will bend the exhaust valves when the timing gear goes bad. If you think it is bad Change it to the stock type roller chain for the 340

 

I agree here this is the place to start. Don't just throw parts at it. a lot of cars get sold or junked this way. Folks get tired of spending money with no good out come. I worked in a scrap yard years ago and you would be surprised the number of cars that came in with a bunch of new parts they didn't need. Take the time to find out just what is wrong, before you tear your motor apart.

 

My 340 was a hard starter from day 1.
It was an old worn out all original and needed just about everything replaced (still does).
I started from vacuum leaks- performance intake, carb, headers, starter, cap, rotor, plugs &wires, battery, ballast resisitor and yesterday put in a brand new distributor assy. After replacing all this stuff it started to run a whole lot better but is still a hard starter. This narrows it down to checking the wire location on the distributor. It ran good when it started so I didnt think to check it. The #1 plug wire was routed to the #7 cap plug and they followed suit in order.
Index mark on balancer at 0.
Rotor on distributor at #7. An old guy told me when they jump time they go backward. This case is 2 plugs from 1 to 7.
This weekend i am replacing the timing chain and will reset the cam & crank alignment marks. I cant think what else it could be.
Hope this helps Bud.....good luck!