If all goes well this week, it will be the first time my Vette has run in about 8 years. Instead of rebuilding and repairing the old distributor however, I moved to a HEI dist. After getting the motor to TDC I noticed in the cheapo manual that the #1 position on a HEI dist. is one position off from a points set up. So basically when I drop the distributor do I line the rotor up as if I were still running points or move it back one as if it were a '75 or later HEI set up? It's a 1970 BB by the way.

Hopefully she fires this week and I'll be able to post a video. The most recent pictures I have are below.

 

SWEEEEET!

 

Man, that looks very nice... As far as the timing, it really doesn't matter the orientation of Distributor and cap as long as the rotor, cap and plug wires are routed correct, it will run perfect in which ever orientation you set it up...

With that said, you will probably find you'll line it up like the original for the shielding and everything else to fit correctly... Don't think it will matter (as long as YOU remember where #1 lines up)... If it was me, I would make everything line up as the original distributor... That's just me...

Good luck on the first run, it's a blast...

Rogman

 

If you are using prefit hei plug wires, you will want to set it up for an hei (#1@ 5 o'clock, looking from the front). The rotor then should point at that for firing #1 cyl.

As nice as your work looks so far, it no more effort to do it as GM intended.

 

Looks like your doing a great job so far, good luck with the rest and enjoy your birth of the big block.


ikwhite

 

Looks like some real nice work on your chassis restoration!

As mentioned before, it really doesn't matter what position on your distributor you choose to be #1 as long as the firing order is correct. That said, if you want the orientation to be close to what the service manual recommends, and to make sure your pre-cut wires fit properly you'll probably want #1 towards the front. You'll also want to make sure to allow for enough distributor movement to properly adjust the timing. The vacuum advance canister can tend to limit how far you can turn it in some orientations.

I just helped a friend do this a few weeks ago which brings something to mind. Don't forget to pre-oil your motor by turning the oil pump with a hand drill until you get oil pressure, and when setting the distributor back in don't forget that the blade on the end of the distributor shaft has to line up with the oil pump drive shaft for the distributor to drop all the way down. My buddy was having a heck of a time with this until I came over to help.

I have a couple questions for ya as well:

1) Will an HEI distributor fit properly inside the original style ignition shielding? ...or maybe you don't care?

2) Does your HEI distributor have a mechanical tach drive? Or do you have a way to work around the mechanical tach? I'm assuming you have a pre-74 car because you have a big block, but maybe not.

Good luck on firing it up! It's a great feeling to hear it run after many, many hours of hard work!

 

Thank you everybody for the compliments on the chassis. Having others appreciate and acknowledge your work can help push you along sometimes.

Lemansblue68-

- No, the shielding will not fit with the HEI but I knew that going into this. I still have the original distributor if it ever becomes a burden having the HEI and I want to make it look 100% stock again.

-Yes I bought a HEI dist. with mechanical tach hookup, mine is a 1970 BB.

As for the oil and priming...thanks for the reminder. I've already busted the plastic handle off of a long straight bit screwdriver and spun the pump once. I did this two weeks ago and quickly learned that I had not seated the upper oil pump shaft firmly in the lower part in the oil pan. This made it so the dist. didn't sit all the way down on the intake so I had to remove the steering linkage, exhaust manifold, starter, clutch inspection plate and oil pan to align the shafts correctly. I was frustrated to say the least but it's the only set back I've really had so far.

Thanks again for the help everybody!

Chad

 

Only a month later than planned, but I finally got the engine to run tonight. This is the first time I've rebuilt a motor and chassis so I made some rookie mistakes but I learned a lot along the way. Short video below: