Thread: HEI distributor question

Tweet

Not to long ago I got my rebuilt sbc chevy to fire up and break-in the cam. After I changed the oil, I wanted to take it out on the road but it doesn't idle very well in drive. So I checked the timing with a light and it shows 8 degrees retarded. I think that might explain why it doesn't start up easily and won't hardly idle with the vacuum advance plugged off while checking the timing. So I went to change the timing some and the vacuum advance can. hits the intake manifold. If I move the distr. clockwise it won't idle. Do I have to pull the distr. out and try another position? Does anyone make a vacuum advance can that is smaller? Any thoughts?

Just move the wires one hole so you can get the distributor positioned right on the timing.

What Dave said . . . or, pull the distributor and move it one tooth on the cam. You're most likely a tooth off.

Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

What Dave said . . . or, pull the distributor and move it one tooth on the cam. You're most likely a tooth off.

Takes less time to move the wires.... I'm just too dang old and crippled to lean over the dang fender any longer then I absolutely have to!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by DennyW

Yeah, but if he takes it to the dealer, they will be lost because #1 won't be in the right spot..!!

Only time I go to the Dealership is when they're having open house and have free rolls and donuts!!!!!!!!!!!

If you guys could spell this out for me that would be greatly appreciated. Do I move the wires on the spark plug end or the dist. cap end? So would number one go where I have number eight now and so on? Which direction clockwise or counter clockwise? I honestly had no idea I could just move wires around.

Which direction: clockwise or counter clockwise

So everybody rotates one spot clockwise. Thanks again.