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ignition timing queation

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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 04:42 PM
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Default ignition timing queation

There are a lot of threads on this but I'm not sure if my distributor is installed properly. '65 327/350. with 8deg advance, the rotor is pointing directly between #1 and #8. Shouldn't it be pointing directly at #1?
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 04:43 PM
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with the number one cylinder on TDC the rotor should be at #1
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 04:58 PM
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with that adjustment it is pointing closer to #8 now, almost ready to fire there.
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
with the number one cylinder on TDC the rotor should be at #1
That would be 0 degrees of timing, and is not recommended for his engine.
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 05:50 PM
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I think I may be off by one tooth. When I tried to curve the distributor I hit the coil.
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 06:09 PM
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I always put the distributor in the best position for the tach drive cable. Straight in and not a sharp bend. Then work from there to line up NO.1 as close as possible at TDC. You can always move the wires around one position to line it up better.
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by xsray
I think I may be off by one tooth. When I tried to curve the distributor I hit the coil.
Pull the distributor, drive out the rollpin holding the drive gear on the mainshaft, turn the gear 180*, and re-install it. That will get the vacuum advance can off the coil and allow you to set the timing correctly with the tach cable properly oriented and the vacuum advance can centered between the coil and the #8 intake runner, in its opening in the upper ignition shield.

Photo below isn't a Corvette, but it shows the correct distributor housing/vacuum advance can orientation and the correct wire indexing in the cap.
Attached Images  
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnZ
Pull the distributor, drive out the rollpin holding the drive gear on the mainshaft, turn the gear 180*, and re-install it. That will get the vacuum advance can off the coil and allow you to set the timing correctly with the tach cable properly oriented and the vacuum advance can centered between the coil and the #8 intake runner, in its opening in the upper ignition shield.

Photo below isn't a Corvette, but it shows the correct distributor housing/vacuum advance can orientation and the correct wire indexing in the cap.
Maybe, but he's off so far, I think he may just be off a whole tooth. NEVER move the wires to try and make it get in time. Wire the cap the way John's picture shows.
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