BrettG

I'll be attemtping to install the TI distributor on my 65 BB this week, would someone mind to give me a quick overview?

Car is at TDC - I know I'll need the rotor to point to # 1 cylinder - is that the one just to the right of center on the cap?


I had installed it approx. 6 months ago but I was way off.

Geralds57

You're right so far. You may have to turn the oil pump shaft on the pump to line up with the drive gear on the distributor shaft. Use a long screwdriver to turn it. There's a slot in the gear that lines up with the pump shaft. You'll feel the distributor drop down on the shaft when it's lined up properly.

hope2

be sure you are not 180 out. turn the crank a little each way and the intake and exhaust on #6 should "rock" then you know that you are not 180 out and are on #1 or TDC, then simply point the rotor toward #1 spark plug wire. don't worry about the oil pump, bump the motor and it will fall in to place. obviously if you turn the crank a little each way and #1 valves rock you are 180 out, turn the crank one revolution, or simply set the distributor to #6. plain as mud?

BrettG

Is there a sure fire way to confirm that I am at TDC with the valve covers on?
Hook up compression tester to #1 while I am turning engine by hand?

ghoastrider1

A old shade tree way was to put your finger OVER ( not in) the number 1 sparkplug hole while cranking. When you felt pressure or heard it "wosh", it was at, or near, #1. Your tester will do the same. By the way, with the marks aligned on the dampener and cam cover, it has to be on #1 or 180 out. A timming light helps too.

Frankie the Fink

Lars document attached

midyearvette

correct...but use your finger to feel the pressure, then line up the marks on the tab and balancer...good luck....

Donald #31176

In addition to the above points instead of using TDC on the damper a setting of 8-10 degrees BTC is better. When you have settled the distributor down on the cam gear turn the distributor to the trigger point. On a points trigger is when the points are just opening. Sorry I have never had a TI .

UberLegend

Thanks for the link

BrettG

Thanks guys, great information as usual and thx. for the link.

65silververt

It's the same for TI. They use a mechanical and vacuum advance as well.

Do you know if your balancer mark correct?

larrywalk

With a TI pickup, the spark occurs when the 8 points on the reluctor wheel align with the 8 points on the stator. (To be technically correct, the ignition triggers when the magnetic flux starts to drop as the points separate.)

larrywalk

An easier way to tell if you're at TDC-firing for cylinder #1 is to check if the #3 intake valve is open (rocker arm pressing valve spring down which can be seen by opening the oil fill cap if it is located driver-side forward). Alternately, if #6 is at TDC-firing, the #2 intake valve will be open as seen under the oil fill cap if it's located on the passenger side.

Conversely, if you peek at one of these two springs and find that it's NOT open, it means that the other cylinder (1 or 6) is at TDC-firing.

Finally, if you don't have the luxury of having a oil fill cap at the front of either valve cover, it's still easier to remove a valve cover than to remove the #1 spark plug and then try to hold your finger over hole while cranking.

And, as Donald mentioned, set it to a few degrees (I like 12-15) before TDC as this is where the spark should occur.

Rokndad

Thanks for the lInk Frankie.

rustylugnuts

Or you can remove the number one spark plug put your finger over the hole and have someone crank the engine wait until you feel the blow (indicating the compression stroke) at the same time watch timing mark to your left making its way to TDC stopping the cranking at TDC. If you go past then you need to pass TDC once more and repeat above. Then you can position rotor at #1 firing. If oil pump is not aligned, no problem simply crank the engine holding distributor in place, the rotor will turn and the distributor will drop in when oil pump slot is aligned. Set your timing, have a beer!

Oh, and don't forget to put that spark plug back in place........

rustylugnuts

BrettG

Even with all the excellent help I was unable to get it running last night, it would sputter a lot but not start.

Will have to reach out to a buddy today to see if he can come by this evening.

Frankie the Fink

Probably best. Watch what your pal does closely (assuming he's good) and you'll see its really not that complicated once you have a 'walk-through' of the procedure...

65silververt

Did you do anything to the carburetor? I find that the saying, "ninety percent of your distributor problems can be found in your carburetor" is pretty accurate.

BrettG

Carb. was untouched.

DucatiDon

I fought timing issues until we deterimined that the fuel was mostly water....LOL