Thread: Distributor Install Help

Tweet

I'm installing an HEI distributor in a sbc 350 and need a bit of help...

The motor is at TDC on compression for #1 (timing mark exactly on zero). I can get the distributor to fully seat with the rotor tip pointing in either two positions shown in photo below but not sure which is correct or if it matters. FYI, rotor tip is currently pointing towards 'B' in the photo. Can someone please help?

Distributor.jpg

OK, first of all, when you put the timing chain on the crank and cam sprockets and you had the dots aligned with the cam sprocket at 6:00 PM and the crank sprocket at 12:00 Noon, did you button the motor up then or did you rotate the crank one full turn to the right and then button the motor up??? If you did not rotate the crank one full turn clockwise, then the motor is timed on cylinder #6, not cylinder #1.

If the motor is timed on cylinder #1, then either rotor tip position will work, just choose one and that will be the #1 spark plug wire that you will run from the rotor tip position in the cap. Then move to the next hole clockwise and run that wire to #8, then next hole clockwise goes to #4 and so on through the firing order.

If you get the motor wired up and it does not start within 2 or 3 seconds while trickling fuel down the primary bores of the carburetor, then you have the motor wired on #6. Pull the distrubutor and turn the crank one complete turn clockwise, then re-stab the distributor with the rotor pointing at about 5:30 O'Clock (either position you are showing now).

Originally Posted by techinspector1

If the motor is timed on cylinder #1, then either rotor tip position will work, just choose one and that will be the #1 spark plug wire that you will run from the rotor tip position in the cap. Then move to the next hole clockwise and run that wire to #8, then next hole clockwise goes to #4 and so on through the firing order.

Ok thanks!! That confirms my thinking. I figure I can chose either tooth as long as the post I designate as #1 still allows enough room for me to make timing adjustments w/o the vac advance canister hitting something like the firewall.

Originally Posted by Nuckingfuts

.....I figure I can choose either tooth as long as the post I designate as #1 still allows enough room for me to make timing adjustments w/o the vac advance canister hitting something like the firewall.

Exactly right. Use the tooth that puts the vacuum advance canister where you want it, then wire the cap accordingly.

Originally Posted by Nuckingfuts

Ok thanks!! That confirms my thinking. I figure I can chose either tooth as long as the post I designate as #1 still allows enough room for me to make timing adjustments w/o the vac advance canister hitting something like the firewall.

Yep, usually it's the cannister banging on the intake manifold.
.

turn the crank to where you want it ti fire-------and then alighn the middle of the relutter with the center of the spline and thats where it'l fire-IIRC I think that the width of the relucter teeth? amount to 14* so its important to have it centered---- you can either use static or can twist the dist upper shaft/ andor the vacume arm to set it at the total degrees--------

Position B looks pretty good. It was said to be at 12 o'clock 12 o'clock on crank and cam sprockets. Will say that all you need to do is put a compression tester on Cylinder 1 and bump the starter until you reach compression and your TDC mark is aligned with TDC mark on your balancer. That will assure you are on #1 compression and at 12 and 12. Your position B on rotor to general direction of #1 should also be there too.