Thread: distributer replacement, how to align?

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Hi guys!

Well, I'm almost finished, rebuilding my 390...
Now I have to mount my new mallory unilite distributer and I can't figure exactly in what position it should be mounted.
I've found several instructions, for replacing a distributer (using markings and such for the old, so the new will be placed the right way), but I haven't found anything that mentions a total rebuild. when no.1 (passenger side, front) is at tdc, in what direction should the rotor be pointing and in what direction should the vacuum advance be pointing?

It's no use referring to the old setup, because the engine was totally stripped down, cleaned, bored and repainted...

any help is appreciated!
grtz,
tom

Tommy, if you look at the top of your old distributor cap you'll see that number 1 cylinder is marked on the cap by a post. When the distributor goes in the car (looking from the front of the car at the motor and using the rear of the motor as zero degrees on a 360 scale) number 1 should be at about 30 to 35 degrees to the right. I hope this helps.

Here's a picture.

Okay, I'll try again.

bring motor to TDC set rotor pointing in direction of #1 wire have vaccuum advance a little towards left side of vehicle since theres more play generally that way and less to the right side of the car.... set the dist. in as far as it goes and then give the motor a small bump til the distributor drops down the rest of the way

Thanks, Denny. Even us old technophobes can do something right once in a while.

thanx guys!
both the picture and the schematic help a lot with this issue!
I should be able to get it set up correctly now...