gsimon767

Engine is 75 L82 with HEI. With the timing mark on the balancer set to 0 the rotor on the distributor points straight ahead not at the number one terminal. See the pictures. The engine starts and runs well as set. Is the distributor off a tooth or is this normal? I know that if the distributor is a tooth off the timing can still be set to spec if the distributor vacuum can allows the distributor to turn far enough. Am I imagining a problem where none exists?

Netracer61

Make sure cyl 1 is at TDC and check again, if rotor is not alingned correctly, pull distributor and reset in proper position, Start the beast and set the timing. Be sure to mark the distributor housing where the number 1 plug wire lines up first.

74modified

Don't pull anything out just yet. Get a timing light and check the timing properly. The distributor does not know, or care, where number 1 is plugged into the cap. You could move the wires to wherever, and as long as they are in correct order, and the rotor is clocked to match -you are good.

The13Bats

Yeah, I think it's off but like others said it doesn't matter,
I am weird on this one, I always putz around until the dizzy is in there correcly...

74modified

You said it is running well as-is, so if the light shows the timing way off, you might have to start from scratch. I have seen balancer rings twist and show wrong. Someone could have changed out the pointer and it doesn't match up. But don't just tear into it before you have a good idea. It is running.

gsimon767

The engine is set at TDC on the balancer, see photo. It seems that the rotor should point to the number one post on the distributor. The rotor points straight ahead. You can see the number one post on the cap is offset to the side. On my older 62 distributor the rotor points to the number one post at TDC. This is a new old car for me so I'm trying to correct things that are incorrect. I guess Im wanting someone who knows to say, Yes it is a tooth off or it is OK.

thb72

I can only say that in 1972 that is a correct set up. Vac. advance pointing to #2 cylinder.

lars

At TDC (0 degrees), you are way past the firing point, and the rotor will not be pointing to #1. If the engine times fine, there is no issue.

The photo in your first post shows the distributor perfectly installed in the correct clocking and position - this is the correct installation for HEI. There is nothing wrong - it's perfect.

Lars

F4Gary

The #2 cylinder is on the front of the engine.

jnb5101

I think there is something weird about HEI distributors. The exact firing time is different than a points unit. If you switch from one to another, the rotor is in a different position.

my 76 ray

The rotor will be past the number 1 terminal by the amount of degrees BTDC (Before Top Dead Center) that your timing is set without any mechanical or vacuum advance.

TedH

I agree. You may find that if you rotate the crank around to the stock setting (some have 4 degrees BTDC, other 6, 8, etc.), you may see the rotor point as close to #1 spark plug tower as it will get. Also, my HEI is 'clocked' (vacuum port on dizzy) about right where the first picture is.

As you diverge from stock, you may find the need to adjust BOTH your initial crank timing +/- AND advance timing to compliment your changes. As an example, with my warmed over, low-compression L48 with improvements, I get away with initial crank timing of 12 BTDC. That means, my rotor will just about point to the #1 spark plug tower with the crank mark at 12 degrees BTDC. My engine is in its sweet, low-compression spot with this plus its total advance settings.