Distributor Question

[jimmyd]

I was installing the Ron White Distributor on my '67 Coronet 318 today errrrr I mean Skip White distributor and I have a question. It is at TDC because the timing mark is at 0. I pulled the dist. out and the cam gear came out with it. Does the gear part have to be installed a certain way? It looks like it could go 5 different ways. The time it did try to start it backfired through the carb. Any ideas?:angry9:

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Just because the mark is at zero does not mean the engine is on #1 dtc. It could be on #6. The drive gear has a slot in top. That slot corresponds to the flat blade on the bottom of the dizzy shaft. With the engine on #1 tdc, the gear should be installed with the slot positioned so that when the dizzy is installed the rotor is pointing to #1 spark plug wire on the cap. With the gear in the block, you can use a bigger sized flat n lade screw driver to turn the gear. Because of the helical cut of the gear teeth, the gear will thrust up when you twist it allowing you to put it in the proper position

 

[jimmyd]

Just because the mark is at zero does not mean the engine is on #1 dtc. It could be on #6. The drive gear has a slot in top. That slot corresponds to the flat blade on the bottom of the dizzy shaft. With the engine on #1 tdc, the gear should be installed with the slot positioned so that when the dizzy is installed the rotor is pointing to #1 spark plug wire on the cap. With the gear in the block, you can use a bigger sized flat n lade screw driver to turn the gear. Because of the helical cut of the gear teeth, the gear will thrust up when you twist it allowing you to put it in the proper position

I thought it was on tdc because I would crank it over with my fingertip over the #1 spark plug hole. When it pushed my finger off the timing mark would be near the "0" on the tab. So if I read it right the slot in the dizzy gear should line up so that the rotor will be looking at the #1 on the cap. What is a sure fire way to find tdc?

 

[mopar 3 B]

Just the way you did it for tdc. Then align distributor gear so rotor points to #1 in cap or just move #1 plug wire to align with rotor and rewire cap per firing order. Ether way will work.

 

[jimmyd]

Well, I got the dizzy gear pointing to #1 plug. Then I set the dizzy down in the block. The rotor was pointing more to the #7 plug. It would try to fire but not run. I'm thinking I should make the #1 wire fire at that point. Or where ever the rotor is now make that fire the #1. Kinda confused:confused:

 

[mopar 3 B]

Bring timing back to #1 and move plug wire for #1 to where rotor points.

 

[jimmyd]

Bring timing back to #1 and move plug wire for #1 to where rotor points.

Thanks mopar 3 B I'll try that. I'm not sure about the wiring though. It should be simple, wire dizzy + & - to coil and jump out resistor and that's it! HA!. I think I have the dizzy set in the gear correctly. All I need is someone to draw me a crayon diagram of the harness wiring. I may have it screwed up. I'll try to come up with a drawing of how I have it now. Thanks to all for the help!

 

[A383Wing]

don't you have a factory service manual for the car?

 

[jimmyd]

Actually I do have a fsm A383Wing. Still struggling a little with it. I think it was rewired somewhat before I got it. Never has run right. Like it would struggle to stay lit. Anyway here is how I have it now

- - - Updated - - -

Actually I do have a fsm. Still struggling a little with it. I think it was rewired somewhat before I got it. Never has run right. Like it would struggle to stay lit. Anyway here is how I have it now

Just found 8-111 in the FSM and it splains it better. The page with the hemi-head connections on another wiring diagram kinda threw me a little.

 

[charger318]

Backfiring through Carb probably was the distributor being out of position. After u put #1 to tdc of compression stroke see where the rotor for distributor is pointing it will turn clockwise so starting from the one closes to rotor wire 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 might want to advance it after u get it to start ok

 

[jimmyd]

Well I got it running today. Went to set the timing but the mark on the balancer was nowhere to be found. It drives ok but I cant seem to time it. It may have been too bright this morning to see the mark. idk. I'll try it again before the sun hits the engine. also mark the balancer and tab. Could it be 180 out?

 

[charger318]

If it was 180 out it wouldn't start. How did u install the distributor if u can't find the mark on balancer? Should be a long thin line cut into the balancer which should show up somewhere close to the timing marks on timing cover when #1 is coming to top dead center of compression stroke

 

[Hemi Rebel]

Use a paint marker or touch up paint to highlight the mark on the balancer . It will help

 

[jimmyd]

If it was 180 out it wouldn't start. How did u install the distributor if u can't find the mark on balancer? Should be a long thin line cut into the balancer which should show up somewhere close to the timing marks on timing cover when #1 is coming to top dead center of compression stroke

That's what I was thinking, there's no way it would start 180 out. I'll go back and recheck everything.

- - - Updated - - -

Use a paint marker or touch up paint to highlight the mark on the balancer . It will help

Good idea. I'll do that.

 

[jimmyd]

Well lo and behold it's a wonder what a little white paint will do. It was so much easier to see this time around. Turns out it was a little high in time. So I set it to 10 before and it's much better. So on to another problem. Not sure if I need to start a new thread or not. I guess I will though. BTW thanks to all of you that led me in the correct direction! Thats what this group is all about!!