Classic/Antique Car Repair: rough idle, crankshaft pulley, crank pulley

Question
QUESTION: I have a 57 Ford with two four's shich have both been rebuilt  The car idles rough not real bad  but as soon as you put it in drive the engine stops  The compression is good and within a few psi of each other  new points, cond., plugs valve adjustment ok i know wires are in the correct holes in the cap  not sure if they are installed correct overlapping etc.

ANSWER: Tell me more about the engine and the carburetor set up. Is the engine the stock engine for the car? If not what did it come out of? Is the manifold a stock Ford manifold? What make are the carburetors?
Brad



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes it is the stock engine and the stock Ford 2x4 manifold with the original Holly teapot carburetors that came from the factory I tried moving the dist. yesterday and the engine ran smooth and the idle increased by 1000 rpm  but the timeing mark on the damper was not close to pointer

Answer
From what you say it sound like the timing chain has jumped a tooth. The easiest check for a sloppy (loose) timing chain is to remove the distributor cap. Then with a wrench on the bolt on the crankshaft pulley turn the engine in one direction. With chaulk or a marker of some sort mark the position of the rotor and the position of the crank pulley. Then turn the engine in the opposite direction. If the crank moves more than 1/2 inch before the rotor moves the timing chain is loose and needs to be replaced. Once the timing case is off you can see if the timing marks align.
Brad