I need some help......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
I need some help......
I'm about at wits end........installed a new distributor (MSD) in my '81 (non-computer) and for the life of me I can't get the timing set right or get it to run worth a crap. Car sat up for over 9 months now.....
She fired right up after the install, but dang, it runs like crap. I've tried just about everything. Double check plug wires and firing order, ect...
Timing seems to keep changing on me? Idle is totally screwed up, and I've done screwed with it so much I think I'm going in circles.
Anyone around Jackson, MS that can help the helpless? I've got all the tools, timing light, ect........just need someone that knows what the hell they are doing.
I'll have plenty of adult beverages!
She fired right up after the install, but dang, it runs like crap. I've tried just about everything. Double check plug wires and firing order, ect...
Timing seems to keep changing on me? Idle is totally screwed up, and I've done screwed with it so much I think I'm going in circles.
Anyone around Jackson, MS that can help the helpless? I've got all the tools, timing light, ect........just need someone that knows what the hell they are doing.
I'll have plenty of adult beverages!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Leroy Township Ohio
Almost sounds like you are one tooth off on the distributor. Had that issue with my MSD distributor. Can you see the timing mark with a timing light? The rotor will rotate about 15 degrees to fall in on the gear. Just guessing but that was my problem.
Reddog76
Reddog76
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Could it be something as simple as bad gas? If the car has sat a while the gas will probably have 'gone off'
Also, if you reinstall your old dizzy, will she run any better then? if not, you know its something else to look at...
Good luck.
Also, if you reinstall your old dizzy, will she run any better then? if not, you know its something else to look at...
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
Gas may well be part of the problem. Added a new 5 gals to it, my carb may be all gummed up.
Doesnt' explain the timing changing, or idle acting weird, or the vac advance not changing the initial timing but maybe 2* when I plugged it in.
I 99% sure the rotor and distrib. are in the right place. Found TDC with #1 plug out, and made dang sure we had the #1 plug wire where the rotor was pointing on the cap.
errrrrr......on the msd ready to run distrib., when looking at the rotor, the brass piece that is longer in one direction is what you point at the #1 on distrib. cap, correct?
Doesnt' explain the timing changing, or idle acting weird, or the vac advance not changing the initial timing but maybe 2* when I plugged it in.
I 99% sure the rotor and distrib. are in the right place. Found TDC with #1 plug out, and made dang sure we had the #1 plug wire where the rotor was pointing on the cap.
errrrrr......on the msd ready to run distrib., when looking at the rotor, the brass piece that is longer in one direction is what you point at the #1 on distrib. cap, correct?
Last edited by Brian74n81; Feb 25, 2009 at 06:46 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fla
timing
Brian I have a question,may be dumb on my part,so please excuse me.I have a 79,of course no computer but I thought all 81's had computers installed.Thought they were the same style computers used on the 80 California cars? 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
They did. Yanked mine along with the carb, distributor, cat system, ect..........and added a new crate motor.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
How the heck would it run? I drove it down the street?
One tooth off is a myth, or so I have read.......
Last edited by Brian74n81; Feb 25, 2009 at 07:55 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ontario
i had some what of the same problem 180 degree out, turn the engine over untill number one piston is at the top, when you drop your distributor back in its should be close to pointing at the number one cylinder , i have seen a car run with the timing 180 out the header were fire red, hope this can help you
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
i had some what of the same problem 180 degree out, turn the engine over untill number one piston is at the top, when you drop your distributor back in its should be close to pointing at the number one cylinder , i have seen a car run with the timing 180 out the header were fire red, hope this can help you
Awe hell............I tried like hell to get the distrib. to drop in that orientation, but it just would not. So, I just marked the tower the rotor was pointing to, and set my plugs wires accordingly.
It's either that, or I'm looking at the wrong end of the rotor brass thing........???
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 22
From: Norwalk CT and Boynton Beach FL
Here's a long shot. The bottom of the distributor shaft MUST slip into a tang that drives the oil pump. Usually you have to screw with it a little to make sure the distributor drops completely down all the way and engages the oil pump correctly. If your distributor is not totally flush with your intake manifold, you haven't got the distrubutor seated correctly.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
Here's a long shot. The bottom of the distributor shaft MUST slip into a tang that drives the oil pump. Usually you have to screw with it a little to make sure the distributor drops completely down all the way and engages the oil pump correctly. If your distributor is not totally flush with your intake manifold, you haven't got the distrubutor seated correctly.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
I asked this..........I actually drove down the street a ways, struggling to keep it running..............I'm also thinking a serious vacuum problem. My headlights are acting up, and my wind shield wipers starting work again??????? WTF???
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 0
From: Henrico VA
I think your vacuum will be funny until you get this fixed. Milder street engines generate more vacuum. You may be generating a ton (enough to jump a leak?). Some suggestions:
1) all new fuel (get rid of all old fuel)
2) new coil and or plugs, plug wires
3) do as suggested above and see if your old distributor still works
4) clean/rebuild carb
1) all new fuel (get rid of all old fuel)
2) new coil and or plugs, plug wires
3) do as suggested above and see if your old distributor still works
4) clean/rebuild carb
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
I think your vacuum will be funny until you get this fixed. Milder street engines generate more vacuum. You may be generating a ton (enough to jump a leak?). Some suggestions:
1) all new fuel (get rid of all old fuel)
2) new coil and or plugs, plug wires
3) do as suggested above and see if your old distributor still works
4) clean/rebuild carb
1) all new fuel (get rid of all old fuel)
2) new coil and or plugs, plug wires
3) do as suggested above and see if your old distributor still works
4) clean/rebuild carb
400 hp is mild? (I know, it didn't tell ya, sorry). Okay, what next?
Added new fuel.
All my equipment is fairly new including the carb. None of it is stock.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 146
Likes: 6
From: Mississippi
This one has spit gas out the carb, sent fire out the carb, backfired, and shocked the **** outa me when adjusting the timing..........