Need Distributor Install Help
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Need Distributor Install Help
My vacuum advance was hitting the intake runner as seen in the first pic. This setting was 10 BTDC but limited my flexibility in making adjustments. Must be one tooth off. So I figured I would remedy this situation. It's an old topic I know.
So I read the archives and I have a copy of Lars' excellent paper on this subject. Sounds simple. Just position the timing mark at TDC on compression stroke of #1 cylinder, position rotor to #1 tower on distributor cap and base, and pop the unit in.
Here is the timing mark.
And this pic shows the only position that the distributor will go back in. The rotor is pointing between #4 and #8 cylinders. I have tried Lars' walking the rotor trick but to no avail. It will also go in bewteen #5 and #7 cylinders but there is no way I can get the rotor to line up with #1. Am I missing something obvious?
[Modified by paul67, 8:21 AM 7/2/2004]
[Modified by paul67, 8:26 AM 7/2/2004]
So I read the archives and I have a copy of Lars' excellent paper on this subject. Sounds simple. Just position the timing mark at TDC on compression stroke of #1 cylinder, position rotor to #1 tower on distributor cap and base, and pop the unit in.
Here is the timing mark.
And this pic shows the only position that the distributor will go back in. The rotor is pointing between #4 and #8 cylinders. I have tried Lars' walking the rotor trick but to no avail. It will also go in bewteen #5 and #7 cylinders but there is no way I can get the rotor to line up with #1. Am I missing something obvious?
[Modified by paul67, 8:21 AM 7/2/2004]
[Modified by paul67, 8:26 AM 7/2/2004]
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
Oil pump slot lining up? Use a long flat head screw driver to turn your oil pump shaft to match the slot on the distributor where it should be at position 1?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Dansville Michigan
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (Boofers)
I would suggest you read Lar's paper on the slipping of the vibration damper. Maybe your harmonic balancer has a problem and it just looks like you have TDC set correctly.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: somewhere south of normal
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
With dist seated all the way down, and room to move the dist for adjustment, you can point the rotor to any tower and use it as #1. Then simply install the rest of the plug wires in order.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 653
Likes: 9
From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (Boofers)
Paul,
Been there many times. Boofer is right, the oil pump shaft must be in the wrong position, not easy to see but you can reach it with long screwdriver through the distributor opening and turn it to the right location, ccw in your situation.
Pierre
Been there many times. Boofer is right, the oil pump shaft must be in the wrong position, not easy to see but you can reach it with long screwdriver through the distributor opening and turn it to the right location, ccw in your situation.
Pierre
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (66427-450)
absolutely agree, just need to grab your longest flat head screw driver, peer on down into the dist hole, and rotate the "slot" you see down there (it drives the oil pump, as folks have pointed out) 15 degerees or so, and try to reinsert the dist. I have had my dist out three times, and I still have not mastered lining up the slot, I often have to re-adjust it a few times before the dist finally slides all the way in where I have intended it to go.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
My sincere thanks to all who replied. You are miracle workers! I moved the shaft CCW bit by bit and now have almost perfect alignment of the rotor to the #1 white mark on the distributor base. Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
Joy can be short-lived. A fellow over the C2 area suggested that I verify that the dimple on the distributor gear is pointing in the direction of the rotor tip. Apparently this can sway timing some 14 degrees. Mine was 180 degrees bass-ackwards. Changed that around and re-did the oil pump shaft thing again to compensate...again. How much blood can hands lose in one day? Love that distributor clamp hold-down bolt....
In any case I have given up for today. But I have static timed the engine at 10 degrees and the pic shows the vacuum canister in mid-stream compared with right up against the intake runner where I was before. So I am pleased with the outcome. But sometimes these cars are more difficult than pulling teeth.
In any case I have given up for today. But I have static timed the engine at 10 degrees and the pic shows the vacuum canister in mid-stream compared with right up against the intake runner where I was before. So I am pleased with the outcome. But sometimes these cars are more difficult than pulling teeth.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
Paul,
One of the few areas where Ford got it right. They put the distributor in the right place, up front!!! Some Caddy and Pontiacs copied them. Pity Chevrolet didn't.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
One of the few areas where Ford got it right. They put the distributor in the right place, up front!!! Some Caddy and Pontiacs copied them. Pity Chevrolet didn't.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
Or......you do like I did and go with a C2 Vette dual point mechanical advance distributor with NO vacuum advance. 
Absolute best setup is the front-mounted Ford or Mopar distributor with Accel dual point with GM externally adjustable points. You get the best of both worlds, externally adjustable points and a distributor that you don't have to crawl across the car to adjust
Dep
[Modified by DJ Dep, 10:39 PM 7/2/2004]
Absolute best setup is the front-mounted Ford or Mopar distributor with Accel dual point with GM externally adjustable points. You get the best of both worlds, externally adjustable points and a distributor that you don't have to crawl across the car to adjust
Dep
[Modified by DJ Dep, 10:39 PM 7/2/2004]
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,951
Likes: 962
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
Paul,
Glad you got the distributor reinstalled. But as far as all the pain and worrying about the oil pump shaft lining up, I never worry about it. I point the rotor (knowing which direction it will rotate a bit when it drops down) and housing in the direction I want it, and lower the assembly down the hole. A slight finger tight tension of the clamp, and then I just crank the engine over a few cylinders worth. The distributor always drops right in to engage the pump, and then just a little fine tuning on the rotation of the housing to get the timing I want. Quick and easy.
Mike
Glad you got the distributor reinstalled. But as far as all the pain and worrying about the oil pump shaft lining up, I never worry about it. I point the rotor (knowing which direction it will rotate a bit when it drops down) and housing in the direction I want it, and lower the assembly down the hole. A slight finger tight tension of the clamp, and then I just crank the engine over a few cylinders worth. The distributor always drops right in to engage the pump, and then just a little fine tuning on the rotation of the housing to get the timing I want. Quick and easy.
Mike
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 6
From: Charles Town WV
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
. How much blood can hands lose in one day? Love that distributor clamp hold-down bolt....
Save your blood for the Red Cross and buy one of these. It makes tightening down that nut a piece of cake.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=42261
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
And think what it would be like having the distributor in the back and having the hood hinged there. I really don't mind the location since I'm tall and can reach it just fine.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (69427)
Mike,
I am not sure how you get things lined up that way. See my original pic re the rotor way off from #1 TDC position before turning the oil pump shaft. You will certainly get engagement but where will the advance unit be pointing for correct timing?
I am not sure how you get things lined up that way. See my original pic re the rotor way off from #1 TDC position before turning the oil pump shaft. You will certainly get engagement but where will the advance unit be pointing for correct timing?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,714
Likes: 6
From: Silver City NM
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Re: Need Distributor Install Help (paul67)
Welcome back Dep! Hope you are feeling better.
Dep