Distributor install technique - is this okay?

Fergie · Jul 16, 2008

After installing the Kbox distributor repair kit it was time to put the distributor back in. I tried the "align the two dimples" method and found that nigh on impossible to do.

I ended up aligning the housing to it's normal position and rotating the distributor shaft till the gear on the shaft fell into place. Then I checked to see that the "bug" was pointing at the #1 pin of the distributor cap by holding the cap close to the distributor and checking for alignment. Took several stabs with the shaft but only a few minutes in time.

Am I missing something or have I got it right? Engine fired and ran first time.

Also, I didn't count the number of teeth on the distributor gear but am curious. Dividing that into 360 should give you how many degrees you're out by being one tooth off. Will the engine run being off one tooth?

Fergie

Papo J · Jul 16, 2008

Get a timing light and check how far off you are.

AW11ERIC · Jul 16, 2008

First try? I hate you! I spent maybe 3 hours trying to get my car to fire back up after I replaced my distributor. Had to rotate crank by hand to TDC, then align distributor shaft with said "dimples", then align cap, then tighten it all and hope it worked.

XuperXero · Jul 17, 2008

Took me too days. I thought I put it in properly and still wouldn't start so I kept troubleshooting thinking the timing it correct. But it was actually 60 degrees off! Be VERY careful putting it in, a slight touch of the gear when installing throws it off the alignment mark.

Fergie · Jul 17, 2008

Papo J said:
Get a timing light and check how far off you are.

I had to retard the timing about 2-3 degrees as the engine "pinged" on hard acceleration.

Toymaker · Jul 18, 2008

After several attempts, I ended up doing what you did trying to line-up rotor cap with no#1 pin.

NHinNC · Jul 18, 2008

I got mine in on the first try, and the car ran. I setup the timing with a light, and lil ol ladies in Buicks were driving up my butt coming off red lights. What a dog. I advanced about 10 degrees from spec, and it runs good. No pinging either. I get 26MPG around town, and 36 on the highway.

Distributor install technique - is this okay?

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