Top Dead Center and Ditributor install help!:willy:
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Can i take one of the plugs out, ground it to the header and see if i get a spark when starting?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
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From: Stratford Ontario
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Okay i checked the voltage at the coil and it only read 6v.
12 at alternator and battery. I guessing this might be okay as i recall if you install a HEI you have to run a new wire as the new coil needs more voltage?
12 at alternator and battery. I guessing this might be okay as i recall if you install a HEI you have to run a new wire as the new coil needs more voltage?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
OK, I'll try this one. You are probably at TDC and pointing the rotor at #8, not #1. The old way just CW past the metal window. Move the wires over one position CCW. Thus #1 will be on the other side of the window. Point the rotor to that position.
This is the post-1968 #1 position as described in Lars' paper.
Note the position of the distributor and vacuum can to get a direct-on attachment of the tach drive cable on the far side. This is discussed in the paper.
This is the post-1968 #1 position as described in Lars' paper.
Note the position of the distributor and vacuum can to get a direct-on attachment of the tach drive cable on the far side. This is discussed in the paper.
Last edited by Paul L; Aug 27, 2010 at 04:50 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
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From: Stratford Ontario
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,420
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From: Redondo Beach, California
About alining the rotor with the #1 spark plug terminal on the dizzy cap. I sacraficed a dizzy cap. I cut a rectangula hole in it right below the terminal that was going to be #1. I used a dremel with a metal cut off wheel (disk). The cut off wheel actually melts its' way into the plastic. With a nice big hole under #1, I could visually see the rotor was correctly aligned. Of course, when I went to start the car, I used a standard distributor cap. The distributor caps I used were for a HEI, but standard caps can also be used.
Which terminal on the distributor cap was #1? I aligned the distributor body so the tach cable was not kinked and then moved the distributor body a little to get the rotor under the terminal.
Which terminal on the distributor cap was #1? I aligned the distributor body so the tach cable was not kinked and then moved the distributor body a little to get the rotor under the terminal.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Got it!
I got it running!
I tried a 3rd time and you know what they say about that...
I believe it was the dwell was set far too little(or too much?) and the points were constantly making contact as the distributor went around. When i had it off i spun the shaft and didn't see/hear the points click.
Like a lot of you suggested I was installing the distributor with the #1 plug moved over this whole time as that is how it was when i took it out of the car. And You can instantly see there'll be a problem with the tach cable if you don't.
Now i'm off to set the timing and take it for a spin!
I tried a 3rd time and you know what they say about that...
I believe it was the dwell was set far too little(or too much?) and the points were constantly making contact as the distributor went around. When i had it off i spun the shaft and didn't see/hear the points click.
Like a lot of you suggested I was installing the distributor with the #1 plug moved over this whole time as that is how it was when i took it out of the car. And You can instantly see there'll be a problem with the tach cable if you don't.
Now i'm off to set the timing and take it for a spin!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Timing it wasn't all that hard. I could go back and do a lot better job if i wanted to test my weight springs and if they're too weak and are advancing even at idle but i didn't do that.
I just set the thing to 36, reved it up to 2500-2800 and tweaked the dizzy a bit till it was at zero. Then tightened it all up.
Took it for a spin and it was like night and day. Tons more pep and a lot smoother ride.
There was however some backfire so i'm not sure if i need to worry about that a whole lot? I didn't hear any detonation in the engine but maybe backfire is a sign of that?
I just set the thing to 36, reved it up to 2500-2800 and tweaked the dizzy a bit till it was at zero. Then tightened it all up.
Took it for a spin and it was like night and day. Tons more pep and a lot smoother ride.
There was however some backfire so i'm not sure if i need to worry about that a whole lot? I didn't hear any detonation in the engine but maybe backfire is a sign of that?
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
So your dwell was just wrong? My info was off-base. Sorry. Now you have to tweak the carb for a lean condition.
*edit* - re #1 rotor position. Seems you had it right. Apologies.
*edit* - re #1 rotor position. Seems you had it right. Apologies.
Last edited by Paul L; Aug 27, 2010 at 07:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
Waiting on my book by Doug Roe to come in sometime next week before I tackle that puzzle.
Everyone was a great help. Seems like everyone knew what they were talking about and was able to explain it to me in a simple enough way that even I could figure it out.
Only problem is now it's running too well that my old worn out belts are squeaking. So i'm off to the store to pick up those to install this weekend.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
I bought the carb rebuild kit the same time I bought the dizzy stuff.
Waiting on my book by Doug Roe to come in sometime next week before I tackle that puzzle.
Everyone was a great help. Seems like everyone knew what they were talking about and was able to explain it to me in a simple enough way that even I could figure it out.
Only problem is now it's running too well that my old worn out belts are squeaking. So i'm off to the store to pick up those to install this weekend.
Waiting on my book by Doug Roe to come in sometime next week before I tackle that puzzle.
Everyone was a great help. Seems like everyone knew what they were talking about and was able to explain it to me in a simple enough way that even I could figure it out.
Only problem is now it's running too well that my old worn out belts are squeaking. So i'm off to the store to pick up those to install this weekend.
Enjoy your car on the weekend. I will mine.
Last edited by Paul L; Aug 27, 2010 at 07:58 PM.
