Distributor Install
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 11
From: Greenwich CT
Distributor Install
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.
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.
Safety Car
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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.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,663
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From: Smyrna/Vinings, Georgia
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?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
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From: indy indiana
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: columbus oh
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,867
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From: Maryland
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 .
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Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 335
From: Homewood Alabama
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 .
Do you know if your balancer mark correct?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
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 .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
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.
Last edited by larrywalk; Jan 26, 2012 at 12:48 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,610
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From: Tampa, FL & Harleysville, PA
Oh, and don't forget to put that spark plug back in place........
rustylugnuts
Last edited by rustylugnuts; Jan 24, 2012 at 01:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 11
From: Greenwich CT
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.
Will have to reach out to a buddy today to see if he can come by this evening.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 335
From: Homewood Alabama
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.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 11
From: Greenwich CT
