Distributor and timing issues
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 52
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Distributor and timing issues
Quick question guys,
im finally getting my 5 yr old project finished and trying to restart the engine of my 1968 350. i cant remember where the distributor was when i had taken it out but none the less, im getting nothing but a few backfires. Got the #1 to TDC and from what i have seen and been told, a good start is to use the cast line on the shaft and that should point at about 6:00 and drop in. I can get it to drop in and all but seems like the first point fire is at the two or very close. Now i have googled a few things and some sites are talking about the HEI systems should spark at about 530 position and the old point distributors should spark at about 630 position? only seen this in one thread and havent had anyone else mention this, but it sure looks like mine would make more sense to be at 630 considering i cant advance the timing any closer to the 1 because my vacuum hits the intake. Any suggestions, what am i doing wrong. The engine was rebuilt prior to it sitting for three years but the car ran great before with new timing chain and all, so im assuming all that is in line.
im finally getting my 5 yr old project finished and trying to restart the engine of my 1968 350. i cant remember where the distributor was when i had taken it out but none the less, im getting nothing but a few backfires. Got the #1 to TDC and from what i have seen and been told, a good start is to use the cast line on the shaft and that should point at about 6:00 and drop in. I can get it to drop in and all but seems like the first point fire is at the two or very close. Now i have googled a few things and some sites are talking about the HEI systems should spark at about 530 position and the old point distributors should spark at about 630 position? only seen this in one thread and havent had anyone else mention this, but it sure looks like mine would make more sense to be at 630 considering i cant advance the timing any closer to the 1 because my vacuum hits the intake. Any suggestions, what am i doing wrong. The engine was rebuilt prior to it sitting for three years but the car ran great before with new timing chain and all, so im assuming all that is in line.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
This is fairly simple. Just make triple sure you have the #1 cyl at TDC. The timing mark on the harmonic balancer should be very close to ZERO. Rocker arms are not down on #1 cyl when at TDC - this is the compression stroke - if you wanted to check.
Then just find out where #1 plug wire is (on the distributor) - install the distributor with the distributor ROTOR pointing exactly to the #1 position (of coursed the dist cap is off for this). The trick is to put the distributor in and out of several locations until it goes into the correct position. Reason you have to take it out and put it in several times in because of the meshing of the lower gear meshing with the oil pump below. The "in and out process" actually turns the oil pump drive location just a tad...
My .02
Then just find out where #1 plug wire is (on the distributor) - install the distributor with the distributor ROTOR pointing exactly to the #1 position (of coursed the dist cap is off for this). The trick is to put the distributor in and out of several locations until it goes into the correct position. Reason you have to take it out and put it in several times in because of the meshing of the lower gear meshing with the oil pump below. The "in and out process" actually turns the oil pump drive location just a tad...
My .02
