1989 Corvette Timing Problem
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
The factory clamp has a bend in it, make sure it is installed with the high point in the center on the top. If put on upside down it may not clamp. Also, the hole the bolt goes thru is a slot, and will allow the clamp to slide back far enough to not even be on the distributor. Make sure the clamp is slid all the way towards the distributor and the "fork" part is all the way on the ridge around the base.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
The factory clamp has a bend in it, make sure it is installed with the high point in the center on the top. If put on upside down it may not clamp. Also, the hole the bolt goes thru is a slot, and will allow the clamp to slide back far enough to not even be on the distributor. Make sure the clamp is slid all the way towards the distributor and the "fork" part is all the way on the ridge around the base.
I will look at the orientation of the old clamp when I take it out and see if maybe it is upside down or something stupid. So the curved side, where it reaches its highest point goes upwards right?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Thanks, sounds very easy to do as long as I don't go dropping stuff haha.
I will look at the orientation of the old clamp when I take it out and see if maybe it is upside down or something stupid. So the curved side, where it reaches its highest point goes upwards right?
I will look at the orientation of the old clamp when I take it out and see if maybe it is upside down or something stupid. So the curved side, where it reaches its highest point goes upwards right?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Yep, unless it has bends or low spots on the fork part instead, then those would go down toward the dist. base. There are several designs for the clamp, you just want to make sure the bottom touches on the outer ends and not in the center where the bolt is. It also may be the wrong bolt installed and it is bottoming out before being able to tighten the clamp. A washer would fix that problem.
Thanks for all the help
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Anyway, here it is
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=309805_0_0_
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Well, I got a different type of distributor wrench that would work with a 3/8 ratchet and checked the bold and re-did the timing to either 6 BTDC or 8 BTDC can't remember off the top of my head and re-tightened it with a torque wrench to 24 ft. lb like the FSM says. I am gonna drive it around a couple of days and check the timing periodically and see if I need to replace the bolt and clamp or not.
What is the best place to set the timing? The FSM says 6 BTDC but some say it is alright to go to 8 BTDC. Which should I set it at, I think I have it at 6 BTDC right now but can't remember.
Thanks for all the help
What is the best place to set the timing? The FSM says 6 BTDC but some say it is alright to go to 8 BTDC. Which should I set it at, I think I have it at 6 BTDC right now but can't remember.
Thanks for all the help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13
Ok then, I am going to go out in a few minutes and make sure it is at 6 BTDC and drive around for a while and see how it does.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
most clamps can be positioned so they are not even putting pressure on the dist. loosed the bolt used a light and make sure the clamp is resting fully on the dist. also make sure it does not slip while tighting.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
+1 on the distributor hold down bolt. I have had mine loosen up before.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 769
Likes: 22
From: California
FL Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor'13