• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

440 will not run Please Help

0DegreeEngineer

0DegreeEngineer

Well-Known Member
Local time
1:26 AM
Joined
Aug 19, 2015
Messages
95
Reaction score
90
Location
Fountain
Hello if I could get some advice that would be great I am currently attempting to get my 440 up and running in my 69 GTX and cannot set timing, when I get the engine running good and go and tighten down the distributor the engine misfires and stalls out, this is the second distributor I have installed on this 440 in the past 12 months, am I possibly over tightening the distributor? or is there something maybe on the shaft that could be causing premature wear? any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
 
Mine the vacuum advance canister was loose. As soon as id go to tighten bolt I’d bump the advance can and it would die. Took me a minute to figure out what was going on. Worth a look.
 
It runs fine until you tighten the distributor clamp? How bout if you just snug it down?
 
Take the distributor cap off and see what moves as you tighten it. Something is changing, look closely.
 
68-500 said:
Mine the vacuum advance canister was loose. As soon as id go to tighten bolt I’d bump the advance can and it would die. Took me a minute to figure out what was going on. Worth a look.
Click to expand...
I will check that out and post back
 
6973440 said:
only likes to run it seems when it is loose any pressure on the hold down and it starts stumbling
Click to expand...
Make sure the distributor doesn't rotate when you tighten it down. Mark it when it's running good then shut it down and tighten it then check the marks.
 
Sometimes when you tighten bolt that last turn it moves the distributor a bit. Is it doing it enough to cause your problem, maybe not...but to rule it out I might put an index mark on the base of the housing and the block to see if there's any movement happening when it gets tightened all the way.
 
Looks like Cranky tree'd me! You still got it old timer!:D:D:Dhahaha
 
What distributor is this? Points or electronic? A points distributor needs to be grounded so that could be something to check on. Do you have a stock hold down clamp, or some custom chrome thong?
 
Cranky said:
Make sure the distributor doesn't rotate when you tighten it down. Mark it when it's running good then shut it down and tighten it then check the marks.
Click to expand...
did not see a rotation bot I can definitely tell the distributor "rises" when tightened
 
R413 said:
What distributor is this? Points or electronic? A points distributor needs to be grounded so that could be something to check on. Do you have a stock hold down clamp, or some custom chrome thong?
Click to expand...
Points distributor with factory hold down will post pictures tomorrow.
 
R413 said:
What distributor is this? Points or electronic? A points distributor needs to be grounded so that could be something to check on. Do you have a stock hold down clamp, or some custom chrome thong?
Click to expand...

Is it possible that the bushing under the distributor drive gear has excessive run-out or axial movement?
BOB RENTON
 
Has your engine had any recent engine work done? Rebuild, can change, oil pump or oil pump drive?
My 2 cents worth would be to first determine why the distributor is "lifting" when the hold down clamp is loosened. I would start by checking the base of the distributor and where is sits in the block and then measuring the shaft length and the gear positioning. I have seen distributors turn slightly when tightening them but never enough to stall the engine. If I had a spare distributor, I would put in to see if it also lifts. If it does I would then check the drive for the oil pump.
Good Luck!
 
Maybe add a couple steel distributor base gaskets to space it up? (not an o-ring)

upload_2022-5-8_13-9-59.png
 
Last edited:
The 440 & SB dist are close in length. Not sure which, but one is slightly longer.
Could it be the wrong dist?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

jteck10
swapping distributors? HEI vs. non-HEI?
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
old guys rule
old guys rule
funknut
Help me pick a distributor!
2
Replies
22
Views
2K
XCELLR8
X
HAHNAGON
MOPAR BIG BLOCK OIL PUMP DISTRIBUTOR GEAR INTERMEDIATE SHAFT STUCK....383 440 ETC
Replies
17
Views
2K
MoparLeo
MoparLeo
Rchab
Mid-high RPM ignition cutout
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
INTMD8
INTMD8
Rick62
Not Charging
Replies
5
Views
619
Rick62
Rick62
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top