Thread: stupid question

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ok when I installed my distributor. I set the timing at tdc 0 degrees, set the distributor at the number one position and dropped it down. I was reading the instructions and sheets for the cam I got and it said to set it at tdc then move the timing pointer to 10 degrees or whatever was stock and then set the distributor at the number one firing position. Did I do it right or did I do it wrong?

to get it closer...

you can set the timing tab at the spec's 8deg's or what ever...

Drop the dist. and either line up the cam (points closed) for points or... line up the timer core....point to point... this will usually get you within 2 degrees of where it should be...

I do not know how true this is but I have been told that on the last v-8's to get a distributor that it DOES make a difference where the dist. is.... it has to be spot on... I was told the there was one dimple in the dist and 2 on the cam gear and that the dist. had to be correctly phased with cam or the computer would pop a trouble code??? some one can correct me if I am wrong...

you can put the dist. in upside down if you want to, if when you shut the hood the timing is set where you want it. what degree you put the dist. in the block makes no dif. you got to set the timing anyway.

set the dist. gear dimple in line with the rotor button pointer.

You can put the wires any where if you have EVEN firing crankshafts. Some GM V6's have a 108-132 ground cranks instead of 120 degees. 360 times 2 divided by 6. if you put the wire in the wrong holes and set the timing with a lite, 3 cylinders will be dead on and the other three will be firing 24 degrees off. they run terrible when you do that,

as far as i know the latest gm dist's have correct cap wiring meaning the plug wires line up in order for neatness underhood and have the firing order built into cap sooooooo on those engines it does make a difference on how you drop the dist in

Originally posted by firebird45331
ok when I installed my distributor. I set the timing at tdc 0 degrees, set the distributor at the number one position and dropped it down. I was reading the instructions and sheets for the cam I got and it said to set it at tdc then move the timing pointer to 10 degrees or whatever was stock and then set the distributor at the number one firing position. Did I do it right or did I do it wrong?

It sounds like you did good bird, and most of what's being said is correct in it's own right. Technically, in your instance, you can pretty much drop a distributor in on TDC #1 (on compression, not exhaust) and where ever the rotor is at will determine where #1 wire is at on the cap. I'd have to look 'cause it's late and I don't remember, but I usually put # 1 up front on the right if I'm not mistaken, maybe the left, but either way I only have so much play on my dizzy because of the vacuum advance. It will only allow me to move certain amount in a limited space. Not because of timing, but because of space on the top of my motor. So this being said, there is a sweet spot where the dizzy will drop in so you have enough to advance it right, or retard it a bit, and the wires look nice and fit under the air cleaner properly. Even my fancy edelbrock air cleaner has a dimple for my dizzy. But if your a tooth to the right or a tooth to the left your timing curve will be off accordingly, so you won't hit that sweet spot.

I hope that helps and doesn't just make it seem harder. Timing is a very complicated simple thing.

Originally posted by COONDAWG
as far as i know the latest gm dist's have correct cap wiring meaning the plug wires line up in order for neatness underhood and have the firing order built into cap sooooooo on those engines it does make a difference on how you drop the dist in

You got a pic of one of those critters Dawg ?

im trying to get a pic into the message having trouble be there shortly

hope this works-------- hey it works

Originally posted by COONDAWG
hope this works-------- hey it works

you are saying that cap came on a 350 chev. from the factory? what yr.?

Originally posted by lt1s10
you are saying that cap came on a 350 chev. from the factory? what yr.?

I should know from bein' a parts jockey, it's like late '90's. They also did one that had wires attatched about the same time. Only for a year or two before they went distributorless. I would say that cap was earlier than the built in wires, '97, '98.

like 97-99 vortec