Hey guys i'm out here working this afternoon. I'm trying to set the initial timing and and having alittle trouble understanding.

From what i've heard you need to set cylinder #1 at TDC on the compression stroke and then have the rotor in the distributor facing close to prong one on the cap.

Well i kinda can't do that due to where the rotor is facing it's impossible to do.

I've never had to manually set the timing with a distributor so could someone help me?

-Caleb

TDC of Compression stroke




The rotor can only go in 2 places, there or 180 degrees. So right no it's facing like cylinder 4 and the opposite is like cylinder 7 i think. And i can't put the cap to where it needs to be cause that nose sticking out will be right on the intake.

 

I know this makes me sound like a jerk, but are you sure it's at TDC? You either stuck your thumb in there or put a TDC wistle? Check 100% that both valves are closed on #1?

If you car is at TDC, then the distro wants to point at 1.

I had this problem on my 91. The distro was never inserted properly. You are going to have to pull the distro itself and readjust it so the contact is pointing in the right direction. before you drop it it, point it at #2 (one step CCW from 1) and drop it in. It will rotate as it slides onto the camshaft.

 

Where is Sammy ?

He has good video links to give you help- tutorials on setting base timing manual.

Need to pull the distributor Caleb.
Drop it down into place to face #1 electrode on the distributor cap after you verified you are on True Top Dead Center of #1 cylinder compression stroke.

 

Get a long screwdriver and rotate the oil pump drive so that the distributor will drop into position with the rotor where you want it.

 

Pop the distributor out and reset it. You may need to rotate the oil pump shaft to get the distributor to seat. Two ways to do this....
- Use a long screwdriver as mentioned above
- Bump the engine over like you're going to start it

Either way works fine.

Regardless of what you do, you'll still need to set the initial timing after the engine is running. Your builder can recommend the initial timing. Personally I like to start around 8* BTDC. In fact, when I stab a distributor in, I align the timing mark on the balancer with my desired setting (ie 8*) and then ensure the rotor is pointing right at #1. 99 times out of 100, when I double check with a timing light, I'm right on my desired initial timing and no further initial adjustment is needed.

 

:iagree

drive tab on dist shaft is on the same centerline as the rotor. if you want the rotor to be pointing at 5 on the clock at tdc 1, turn the slot the same direction, a line between 11 and 5. THEN, turn rotor towards #2 before dropping it into the engine because the cam gear will rotate the rotor CW as it seats. if you point it to 1, it will rotate to 8. comprende?

.

 

The good answers are already posted here. Pull the distributor and start from scratch. Set the rotor about 1/3 of the way toward #8 but closer to #1. Look at the position of the flat on the distributor shaft. Take your best guess and a long screwdriver and align the oil pump shaft down in the hole to the same place as the distributor shaft. Try to seat the distributor. As it engages the cam gear the rotor will turn towards #1 and your initial alignment will have been real close.

If it doesn't go in either try to adjust it again with the screwdriver until the slots line up or, as mentioned earlier.....with firm pressure on the distributor, have a friend bump the engine until the oil pump shaft and the distributor shafts align. Since the gears are already in mesh it won't screw up your settings at all. It should fall right into place. Start your hold down screw and snug it. Make sure the distributor can still rotate.

Since your harmonic balancer is marked it's time to set your initial timing. Get your rotor back to #1 give or take. Turn your engine until the harmonic balancer to the pointer shows 8-10 degrees. Stop.

Remove your distributor cap and pull the coil wire of of it. Turn your key on but don't try to start the engine. Hold the coil wire near a ground. (The other end should still be hooked up to the coil.).With the key on rotate the distributor back and forth until you see a spark from the coil wire to ground. Remember, the rotor should now be real near the #1 terminal. Keep rotating the dizzy back and forth until the spark is repeating about every time. Keep getting narrower and narrower with your turning. As soon as the spark happens that should be real close to #1. It will be close enough to fire the engine.

That's the old school outlaw way of doing it. Good luck.

 

You guys got it exactly right thanks for all the help everyone. Got a really long screwdriver and rotated the oil pump drive rod. dropped it in and it was on #1 no prob. Dropped it in facing 7 initially and it faced 1 when rotated in I should have thought about it more

Thanks Again!
-Caleb

 

Sammy posted that video in this thread (post #8):

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...r-problem.html