Distributor install help

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Oct 28, 2014 | 02:13 PM

marz

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 774

Likes: 1

From: Round Rock Texas

Distributor install help

For all my Vette Gurus. I have to admit up front that I am timing challenged in my expertise. I installed a new set of heads and had removed the dizzy and marked it off so I would know to line it back up. It took me some time to find a set of heads and got them on and forgot to take the cap back off and line the thing up correctly. I bumped the starter to get it at TDC. But, it is grinding very loudly attempting to start. No matter how I stab it back down it won't start...it just grinds. I did line the oil pump sprocket and the gear at the bottom of the dizzy up and it falls right into place, but only grinding and won't start.

I am determined to get this done without taking it to the shop. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated guys.

Thanks.

Marz

Oct 28, 2014 | 02:25 PM

Mike Ward

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 15,892

Likes: 42

The #1 cyl. has to be at TDC while on the compression stroke, not the exhaust. If you didn't check, there's a 50% chance it's wrong.

Oct 28, 2014 | 02:32 PM

marz

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 774

Likes: 1

From: Round Rock Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Ward

The #1 cyl. has to be at TDC while on the compression stroke, not the exhaust. If you didn't check, there's a 50% chance it's wrong.

I will yank the valve cover off and see if that is the case when I bump it.

Thanks.

Oct 28, 2014 | 07:04 PM

Jeff_Keryk

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,879

Likes: 38

From: Los Gatos CA

I guess I am not sure what grinding has to do with the distributer, unless it is not seated correctly.
If it out of phase, the engine will kick and backfire.

Oct 28, 2014 | 07:08 PM

jnb5101

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 8,117

Likes: 104

From: charlotte north carolina

email Lars at v8fastcars@msn.com and get his "how to install your distributor". It will fire the instant you touch the key.

Oct 29, 2014 | 05:22 AM

marz

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 774

Likes: 1

From: Round Rock Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnb5101

email Lars at v8fastcars@msn.com and get his "how to install your distributor". It will fire the instant you touch the key.

Will do.

Thanks.

Oct 29, 2014 | 06:51 AM

Chinaski

Team Owner

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 26,563

Likes: 29

From: Northridge California

St. Jude Donor '14

Pull the #1 Spark Plug and put your thumb over the hole. Have a buddy bump the starter...When your thumb gets blown off the hole, you are on compression. Get the balancer mark as close to TDC as possible using this method.

Or.

Get a Piston Stop tool.