Trying to instal the ingnition shielding kit on my '67 L36. The problem is the vacuum line coming off the distributer is in the way. How can I rotate the distributer aprox. 30 Degrees counter clockwise while maintaining proper timing? Thanks in advanced for your suggestions!


steve

 

It sounds like you are a tooth or 2 off.
Are you sure the distributor has been installed correctly?
Mike

 

The guy who set the timing last was kinda known for his ability with corvettes, although not for his ability to follow procedure. If you know what I mean. The car runs great but I, like you, feel like the distributor was droped in wrong, never mattered until now. I guess I should just check the current timing and use that as a reference after I put the distributor where it should be.

Thanks, steve

 

So I guess the real question should be... what's the easiest way to re-set the distributor a cog over? Is it a simple mater of lifting it out, rotating slightly and then re-installing. I'm getting nervous already!

 

Your distributor has been installed incorrectly (and the plug wires may have been re-indexed incorrectly as well); you need to re-install it in its correct orientation relative to the engine so the shielding will fit.

1. Trace the #1 wire back to the cap, and mark the distributor base below that wire tower.

2. Crank the engine over until the timing index mark on the balancer aligns with the "0" on the timing tab; remove the cap and see if the rotor is pointing to the mark you made on the base or 180* opposite. If the rotor is 180* opposite the mark on the base, it's at #6 TDC. Crank it over one more revolution so the balancer index line and the "0" mark are aligned. The engine is now set at #1 TDC.

3. Remove the distributor. The correct #1 wire tower is the one immediately clockwise (as viewed from above) from the adjustment window; mark the base directly below that wire tower, and remove the mark you made earlier. Don't disturb the engine.

4. Re-install the distributor with the window pointing straight ahead and the rotor pointing at the #1 wire tower mark on the base when it's seated. Turn the oil pump driveshaft with a long screwdriver if necessary to get the distributor to engage it and drop into place. Install the clamp and snug the bolt.

5. Re-index the wires in the cap if necessary - the tower immediately clockwise from the adjusting window is #1, followed clockwise by 8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Bubba frequently re-indexes the wires in the cap instead of installing the distributor correctly.

6. Install the cap, fire it up, set the timing, and tighten the clamp bolt.

7. Install the shielding.

 

1. Set #1 at the initial timing point.

2. Remove dist. and verify that the dimple in the drive gear is pointing the same direction as the rotor tip. If not tap out the pin and rotate the gear 180 degrees.

3. Refer to CSM to verify that plug wire indexing is correct.

4. Install dist. per CSM and rotate housing until the points just begin to open.

5. Start engine, set initial timing to spec and lock down dist.

6. Install igntion shielding.

Duke

 

Steve:

You can raise the distributor up and as you do, keep a little pressure on the rotor in the counter clockwise direction. When the distributor is up about 1 1/2" you will feel the gear jump a tooth. Let the distributor back down and if it doesn't seat on the manifold, just bump the starter a few times and it will drop on down.

It sounds like you don't have a timing light. That be the case, note your idle rpm before you move the distributor and then adjust the timing to get it back to the same speed. You'll be close.

I'm just across the river from you. If you need help call me 502-645-8439

 

Thanks everyone! My confidence level is up a little now and I'm going to head to the garage and remedy this issue right. JohnZ and SWCDude, thanks so much for piping in here as I can take what you guys say as gospel, MikeM, I'll have to take you up on that offer one day soon, you live in a beautiful part of the country!



Steve

 

JohnZ,

I think you are right on the $$. I should add that I remember the fellow who was monkeying with the engine on my car removing the plug wires and rotating each of them one space over. I knew he was up to no good but the car just ran so darn good, I forgot about it! Be back in a little while to post results. Steve

 

Got the vacuum unit back to where it should be and the car is running good. Now then, to set the timing just right, what do I look for on the timing index mark on the balancer?

What I'm seeing with the timing light are units of 10 on the balancer and units of 4 on the index


From memory it looks like this:



10 <12
20 <8
30 <4
40 <0
50 <4


I figure i'm in the ball park if I can see all these markings can someone help me zero in on this!

steve