Distributor engine damage
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
Distributor engine damage
Hello, 82 owner here. I was reassembling my intake manifold, when my grandpa mentioned that the reason he’s scared of removing a distributor is because, if it is misaligned, it could lead to “blowout” which could break the block. Is this true? And how can I ensure proper distributor installation with my engine reassembled?
as a side note, I marked the position of my rotor against the firewall upon removal, but since it’s my first time I don’t trust my marks 100%, so I’m looking for some secondary confirmation of the distributor installation. I have a timing gun by the way
as a side note, I marked the position of my rotor against the firewall upon removal, but since it’s my first time I don’t trust my marks 100%, so I’m looking for some secondary confirmation of the distributor installation. I have a timing gun by the way
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,887
Likes: 4,071
From: US-PNW
No worries about engine damage from distributor misalignment and valve/piston contact. The valve piston relationship is solely determined by the timing chain. A misaligned distributor will only cause the spark to happen at a non-optimal time in the stroke cycle. You could certainly get a backfire but nothing is going to catastrophically fail mechanically.
Get your alignment as close as you can from your pics; more than likely it will run fine but may be a tad rough. Once up to temp, adjust the distributor with a timing light. While you wait for the temp, make continual checks of antifreeze drips from hoses, listen for vacuum leaks, add coolant as needed, keep an eye on the temp gauge.
Get your alignment as close as you can from your pics; more than likely it will run fine but may be a tad rough. Once up to temp, adjust the distributor with a timing light. While you wait for the temp, make continual checks of antifreeze drips from hoses, listen for vacuum leaks, add coolant as needed, keep an eye on the temp gauge.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 436
Likes: 15
From: Maryland
No worries about engine damage from distributor misalignment and valve/piston contact. The valve piston relationship is solely determined by the timing chain. A misaligned distributor will only cause the spark to happen at a non-optimal time in the stroke cycle. You could certainly get a backfire but nothing is going to catastrophically fail mechanically.
Get your alignment as close as you can from your pics; more than likely it will run fine but may be a tad rough. Once up to temp, adjust the distributor with a timing light. While you wait for the temp, make continual checks of antifreeze drips from hoses, listen for vacuum leaks, add coolant as needed, keep an eye on the temp gauge.
Get your alignment as close as you can from your pics; more than likely it will run fine but may be a tad rough. Once up to temp, adjust the distributor with a timing light. While you wait for the temp, make continual checks of antifreeze drips from hoses, listen for vacuum leaks, add coolant as needed, keep an eye on the temp gauge.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,068
Likes: 7,678
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Not clear on that last comment. I've been turning wrench's for a living for about 50 years. Still can't get an engine to start and run without spark plugs. Perhaps you could get a timing light on it while cranking the engine with the starter and maybe get an idea if base timing is close. But that's a waste of time. And will run down your battery and heat up your starter.
If you haven't turned the engine at all since you pulled the distributor, then your marks should be fine. If you have turned the engine. You need to start from scratch and get the number one cylinder on the compression stroke.
If you haven't turned the engine at all since you pulled the distributor, then your marks should be fine. If you have turned the engine. You need to start from scratch and get the number one cylinder on the compression stroke.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 8,887
Likes: 4,071
From: US-PNW
Leave the distributor just snug enough to hold its position but not so tight that you can't rotate the housing by hand. If it doesn't fire or backfires, rotate the distributor about 1/8" counter-clockwise and try again. Make small movements when attempting to get it to fire.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,356
Likes: 6,328
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
If you need info on how to correctly install a distributor in the correct position, just drop me an e-mail request for my "How to Install Your Distributor" tech paper, and specify if you need info for points or HEI distributor. Complete with photos and instructions.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
