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Old Feb 24, 2018 | 04:37 PM
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Default Distributor position

So I was changing out my distributor on my 69 that has an engine out of a 70's pickup truck, put the engine TDC marked where the distributor was pointed and it is actually off from where it should be.

All the wiring is in the right order for the location the distributor is in but if you go to the manual #1 should be front passenger side on mine it is back one so the second one on the passenger side.

I think I need to pull the distributor and get it pointing to the proper location so I can properly adjust the timing.

I put tape on the #1 on the distributor.

Jack
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Old Feb 24, 2018 | 04:55 PM
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Hi Jack,
What info are you looking at to guide you on positioning the distributor?

Small block Corvette engines had the distributor rotated so that the advance can would be to the REAR of the right side distributor shield support bracket. 68-72 and beyond?
Does that affect what you're doing?

Like this?
Regards,
Alan

Note:
Forward arrow
Advance can location
Position of #1 spark plug wire




Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 24, 2018 at 05:00 PM.
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Old Feb 24, 2018 | 05:27 PM
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Alan,

That is the location I have it at now, I did find that in the Assembly manual just now.

The Chassis service manual has it slightly different.

Thanks Alan

Jack
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Old Feb 24, 2018 | 06:21 PM
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Alan,

Looking at it some more I still think I have to rotate the distributor to be more like what is shown in the assembly manual, Thankfully I do have #1 cylinder at TDC.

Thanks.

Jack
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Old Feb 25, 2018 | 09:16 AM
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Hi Jack,
This really ALL has to do with the right-side distributor shield brace that Corvette engines of this era have.
It doesn't apply to Chevrolet engines of this era IN GENERAL.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Feb 25, 2018 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi Jack,
This really ALL has to do with the right-side distributor shield brace that Corvette engines of this era have.
It doesn't apply to Chevrolet engines of this era IN GENERAL.
Regards,
Alan
Thanks Allan thought as much

I would like to use the bracket looks so much nicer.

Jack
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Old Feb 25, 2018 | 12:21 PM
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I have a similar situation/similar engine.....but I have a distributor with a cable-driven tach. I aligned the dist. tach. cable so it wouldn't bind. Then I set the dist. shaft rotor to "point" to #1 cylinder and re-located the spark plug wires in the dist. cap. before adjusting the timing.

Last edited by doorgunner; Feb 25, 2018 at 12:22 PM.
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Old Feb 25, 2018 | 12:46 PM
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The method doorgunner describes is the correct way. There are several write-ups on this. If you do not do it that way the tach cable will have a large bend in it.

Joe
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Old Feb 25, 2018 | 12:52 PM
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Hi,
This is the result of clocking the distributor a DG describes.
The tachometer cable has an almost straight path to the distributor cross gear housing.
Regards,
Alan

And, the advance can clears the shield's bracket!


Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 25, 2018 at 12:55 PM.
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Old Feb 25, 2018 | 02:24 PM
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Thanks everyone, as soon as I am done messing with the brakes I will be back on the distributor.

Jack.
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Old Feb 26, 2018 | 07:01 AM
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You get the timing right the car will go like hell. Good idea to make sure it stops!!
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Old Feb 26, 2018 | 08:23 AM
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with Allen , I had the same issue on my 70 , I got the timing right , but the housing bracket would not go on , and the tach cable was bent like a pretzel . All is well now .
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Old Feb 26, 2018 | 08:37 AM
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Picked up the wife from the airport last night, progress will be slowed while work on the re-furbished fireplace continues. I did get the MSD box mounted to the firewall and power to it now I need to wire the key'ed power re-install the distributor and run new wires to the plugs. Brakes are done but I am still bleeding them.

Jack
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Old Feb 26, 2018 | 09:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Jack605
Picked up the wife from the airport last night, progress will be slowed while work on the re-furbished fireplace continues. I did get the MSD box mounted to the firewall and power to it now I need to wire the key'ed power re-install the distributor and run new wires to the plugs. Brakes are done but I am still bleeding them.

Jack
LOL.......Me knowing Me.....I knew the first thing I should rebuild would be the brake system to keep Me from driving Me through the garage wall or the neighbors shrubbery
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Old Feb 27, 2018 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by doorgunner
I have a similar situation/similar engine.....but I have a distributor with a cable-driven tach. I aligned the dist. tach. cable so it wouldn't bind. Then I set the dist. shaft rotor to "point" to #1 cylinder and re-located the spark plug wires in the dist. cap. before adjusting the timing.
Ditto on adjusting the dizzy to fit the tach cable!!
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