how do I trouble shoot an engine skip in a 1976 cadillac eldorado 500

1976 CADILLAC ELDORADO
120,000 MILES
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EARLE
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I replaced the timing chain and gears also the water pump. the car had the skip before this and still after. I also replaced the plugs, wires and rotor. It skips when the engine is cold or hot. Under the rocker covers was a lot of carbon particles which I cleaned out. Could a valve be sticking? the engine is a 500 with a 4 barrel carb. thanks for any advice.
Oct 10, 2011 at 5:00 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Did you replace the distributor cap and rotor? If not, did you inspect the cap for cracks?
Oct 10, 2011 at 5:04 PM
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EARLE
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I did replace the rotor and inspected the cap. I also checked for spark and continuity. I had thought it was a timing problem which is why i replaced the chain and gears. when piston 1 is tdc the timing mark lines up with the 0 on the scale but the rotor seems to be in the wrong place. when I put the timing light on it the mark is still at 0 but is supposed to be 6 degrees advanced. is it possible I skipped a tooth when I reinstalled the distributor or timing gear and chain? adjusting the distributor helps some but it still runs rough. Thanks
Oct 11, 2011 at 3:37 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It sounds like you are a tooth off on the distributor. Line up the timing marks to TDC and the rotor should be pointing at the #1 plug wire on the distributor. It's really easy to be off one tooth.
Oct 11, 2011 at 4:17 PM
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EARLE
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Thank you.
Oct 11, 2011 at 6:10 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Let me know what you find.
Oct 12, 2011 at 12:15 AM