Distributor/timing problems

[Anonymous]

Yes, the quest to get this thing running right continues. I finally got the chance to install the new 1101 1bbl carb I get from Pony recently. Their instructions tell you that the vacuum cannister on the distributor on '68 and later engines should be pointing straight back to the firewall, and that if it is pointing towards the block (as mine was ) it need's to be moved. I moved it, two teeth I believe, and now the car run's like crap.

Before I moved it, the car did not run perfectly, but if I turned the distributor counterclockwise the idle speed increased significantly. Now, if I rotate it the idle briefly increases by a small amount then then get's very rough, same if I turn it clockwise- it slows down just a hair and get's very rough. I have it set in the middle for the best Idle I can get. The car feel's like a dog, and misfires badly above idle and surges when driving.

I'm wondering if the dist. is in the wrong postion, even though the rotor was pointing to the same spot on the dist. housing. I'm not sure how to accurately re-position the distributor in the engine if something has been moved. If pony's theory that the harmonic balancer moves over time and using a timing light is not an accurate way to time the engine is correct, (they suggest using a vacuum guage to set final timing) then I cannot use the timing mark to put the #1 cylinder at TDC before re-installing the dist. How else can I do that? My repair manual only tells how to re-install the dist. if things have not moved

Thor

 

[Asa]

basically, you pull the distributor, rotate the shaft so it's on the next position, and drop it in, then test it to make sure that's right
might be an easier way, but that worked for me

as for the balancer, rotate the engine till #1 is at TDC (take the plugs out so you can turn it easier) then put a mark on the balancer for your new timing mark, white out works well

you might want to do the balancer first, if you pull the valve cover as well you should be able to tell when both valves are closed on #1, then you just make sure the rotor points to where #1 will be on the cap

 

[LEROY POLL]

HELLO THOR


.....HELLO AGAIN AFTER A COUPLE YRS. SOUNDS LIKE YOU WILL NEED A QUICK STARTING POINT. TRY THIS .

.....MOVE YOUR TIMING MARK TO TOP DEAD CENTER (TDC), AND TAKE OFF THE ROTOR CAP.SEE WHERE THE ROTOR IS POINTING. IF THE ROTOR IS POINTING TO THE UPPER LEFT OF CENTER ( USING A CLOCK ) MAYBE 10 O'CLOCK, TURN THE MOTOR OVER AGAIN ONE MORE TIME. IF IT IS POINTING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 3: O'CLK TO 5: O'CLK YOU'RE WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.

.....NEXT MAKE SURE YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE MARK AT TIMING MARKS. YOU SHOULD BE AT THE RIGHT SPOT TO START OVER. LOOSEN THE SCREW THAT HOLDS THE DIST. SO YOU CAN TURN THE DIST.

NOW USING THE ROTOR AS THE LITTLE HAND ON A CLOCK.....WHAT TIME WOULD IT BE? MOST MOTOR WHEN TIMED WILL FALL IN AT ABOUT 4:30. THIS WILL BE ABOUT HALF WAY BETWEEN 3:00 AND 6:00. EVERY MOTOR WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM NEW TO WORN. IF YOU ARE POINTING AT 3:00 OR AFTER 5:30 YOU ARE TWO TEETH OFF.

.....CHECK IT AND COME BACK IF IT IS AT 4:30 SETTING ON #1 WIRE.

LOTS OF LUCK....LOL

LIVE IN GRACE

LEROY POLL

PS. I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU COME DOWN ON JULY 14-17 IN SAN RAMON.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys- I'll give it a try!

Thor

PS -would like to make the nationals, but don't think it's going to happen as the car need's more done on it than I have time to fix. I Just hurt my back too- 800 miles one way is a long trip!

 

[Anonymous]

IF THE ROTOR IS POINTING TO THE UPPER LEFT OF CENTER ( USING A CLOCK ) MAYBE 10 O'CLOCK, TURN THE MOTOR OVER AGAIN ONE MORE TIME. IF IT IS POINTING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 3: O'CLK TO 5: O'CLK YOU'RE WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.

wait a second.....is this looking at the engine sideways from the driver's side front fender, or looking at it rearward from the front of the car?

 

[HorsesNHogs]

SedanMan,
I am almost positive it is from the driverside,
the rotor should be generally pointing at the #1 plug wire.
Gt

 

[Anonymous]

I pat the old 1100 back on and the surging/misfiring went away- go figure. Is this going to be another case of too much distributor advance from a new carb like I had from the two carter YF's I tried? I'll have time to look at it more on Thursday.