Distributor experts....
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Distributor experts....
This is one a 68, with the cap removed and the rotor off. How much play should there be in the top shaft. I can move mine a good 1/2" in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Scary loose in my option.
I changed out the springs today and the car still breaks up at 2500 rpms. Installed the Holley tonight will see if that helps tomorrow.
Also, The vette will not run with the distibutor lined up with #1 and the plug wires correctly installed. I had to back them up counter clockwise one post to make it run. Starts right up and idles.
I changed out the springs today and the car still breaks up at 2500 rpms. Installed the Holley tonight will see if that helps tomorrow. Also, The vette will not run with the distibutor lined up with #1 and the plug wires correctly installed. I had to back them up counter clockwise one post to make it run. Starts right up and idles.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
How much distributor gear play do you have??? I had timing problems and an expert at a high performance shop recognized the problem during a dyno run. When the distributor gear bounces, the timing swings depending on the amount of play. The distributor I HAD (past tense) at the time had 3/16" of play when is should have a few thousanths. I bought a new distributor off eBay and shimmed it as recommended by HiTech. BINGO!! Problem solved.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
When you rotate the shaft for this 1/2" play are you grabbing the plate that the weights are mounted on? or the very center little shaft that has the 2 posts on it that the springs attach to?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
This is one a 68, with the cap removed and the rotor off. How much play should there be in the top shaft. I can move mine a good 1/2" in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Scary loose in my option. I changed out the springs today and the car still breaks up at 2500 rpms. Installed the Holley tonight will see if that helps tomorrow.
Also, The vette will not run with the distibutor lined up with #1 and the plug wires correctly installed. I had to back them up counter clockwise one post to make it run. Starts right up and idles.
I changed out the springs today and the car still breaks up at 2500 rpms. Installed the Holley tonight will see if that helps tomorrow. Also, The vette will not run with the distibutor lined up with #1 and the plug wires correctly installed. I had to back them up counter clockwise one post to make it run. Starts right up and idles.
Having said all that, I doubt this is your problem.
From an electrical standpoint, in a points ignition, DWELL is a more likely candidate to cause what you describe.
Edit: Make sure you have 30 degrees dwell
Last edited by pws69; Jul 19, 2008 at 12:10 PM. Reason: I overlooked that you are referring to the 68!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=X765
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=X765
Used this one for the 68. Checking the center shaft now.
Used this one for the 68. Checking the center shaft now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/di...ategoryid=X765
Used this one for the 68. Checking the center shaft now.
Used this one for the 68. Checking the center shaft now.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Looks like center shaft has 1/8" play. Here is a video after adding the Holley.
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=MVI_0583.flv
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=MVI_0583.flv
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Looks like center shaft has 1/8" play. Here is a video after adding the Holley.
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=MVI_0583.flv
http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s...t=MVI_0583.flv
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
make sure you have the #5 and #7 wires separated from each other as much as possible, including in the wire holders. These cylinders fire consecutively and since they are adjoining cylinders you can get crosstalk between the wires from the voltage causing them to misfire.
This image is really from a C2 but it should be the same for your '68. See how the #5 and #7 wires are at opposite ends of the wire holders? This is the reason why
This image is really from a C2 but it should be the same for your '68. See how the #5 and #7 wires are at opposite ends of the wire holders? This is the reason why
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
Sometime, somewhere, the Pertronix WILL let you down and strand you. Hopefully, you will be close to home. It will give you no warning - it will just die. I had one for 2-3 years, and loved it - ran great until 2 weekends ago. Was over visiting my grandson and my son went to move the vette. Turned over, fired, died. I came out and tried - cough, bang, flames out the carb. Dug out the points and condenser that I always kept with me (I wasn't THAT secure with the Pertronix), put them in, timed it with a continuity buzzer and it once again purred!
I have just completed a complete distributor rebuild and installed new points, condenser, etc. The car runs as good as if not better than it ever has.
I am going to stick with what I have been used to for about 45 years now - it's what these cars love. I suggest you consider the same BEFORE you get stranded.