'99 Sububan 5.7 Vortec timing

[Faust4456]

OK. I've got a '99 GMC Suburban with a 5.7 Vortec. The issue I'm having is somehow the timing goes 180 out. I turn the crank shaft till I feel the air on my finger, line up the dots on the timing gears and make sure the rotor is pointing to number one plug. From what I understand that's the correct way to time it. After I do all that and try to start it and it cranks but won't start. I go back and pull the number one plug and feel the air once again. But, here's the weird thing. When I look at the dots on the timing gears the crank is at 12 o'clock like it's suppose to be but the cam gear is at 12 o'clock also instead of 6 where I set it and the rotor is pointed to the number 8 plug. How is that even possible?

 

[used99]

Not sure about that, but pretty sure the timing on the Vortec isn't adjustable. Mine just turned 180,000 & having issues diagnosing the tail/brake lights not working & now the other day power steering went out.
The Vortec is supposed to be a hands off type ignition, change the cap & rotor & thats it.
I will be changing wires, cap & rotor SOON myself. As soon as I find the BEST choice for performance.

 

[george_cramer_1980]

had a timing problem with mine after I did the intake gaskets and it took me 2 days to get it running. you need to line up the gears then the distributor to do this you have to mess with it until you get it running you may also be feeling the air on the exhaust stroke which is why you are off 180 degrees on the gears and then once running it needs to go to the dealer to do a cam/crank correlation adjustment with a diagnostic machine. it will start if one tooth off but run horrible and the timing can only be set with a dealer scan tool and will throw a code if off more than 1 degree. it costs about $99.00 for them to do it and plan to replace the plugs after that because it will foul them out trying to start it with the timing off.