[chucksrt]

It is running and the timing is set...it is just not where the dist. should be. I am moving and I took this to my moms for storage until I am fully moved so I won't be getting dirty with it for at-least 2 months.

[Jim Rockford]

Follow this...
http://www.truckmodcentral.com/forum...ead.php?t=6014

[Custom10]

Originally Posted by chucksrt

No...But I did get a dist. from summit that had the gear on 180deg out and I scratched my head for a while until we figured it out.

I am still scratching my head 180 ways from sunday. Trying a compass next till I get it right

[malc]

Originally Posted by Custom10

I am still scratching my head 180 ways from sunday. Trying a compass next till I get it right

Can´t fathom that either, if the gear had to be located in a specific way it´d be marked.
(They ought to mark it "this way up" for people like me !!

I thought the important part is the distributor fires number one at the right time, distributor orientation secondary.

[chucksrt]

Iirc the dist gear is marked with a dot/dimple on one side of it. I will look again. I will also try to find the old dist and take some pics to show what I am talking about.

[ap72]

If you cant rotate the distributor any more move the distributor one tooth.... Is there something I'm missing here?

[chucksrt]

Originally Posted by ap72

If you cant rotate the distributor any more move the distributor one tooth.... Is there something I'm missing here?

The vortec dist has very little side to side movement. Moving it a tooth in either direction just causes it to be way too far out to get into time.

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by chucksrt

The vortec dist has very little side to side movement. Moving it a tooth in either direction just causes it to be way too far out to get into time.

If the theory you're going by mattered, then just use #6 to time it. Put a TDC mark 180 degrees from the line now on the damper.

But the whole thing revolves around setting the distributor in and having the oil pump drive shaft indexed correctly. In some non stock installations, there may be a lack of clearance that will make setting the timing a chore- but there's almost always enough adjustability to allow setting it right w/o clearancing the firewall or grinding, etc.

The rotor turns about 2" CW as the distributor engages the cam gear and is seated (on a large cap HEI, less on a small cap HEI), so set the rotor that far CCW to allow the gears to turn the rotor into position. The oil pump shaft can be easily turned w/a long screwdriver to allow the shaft of the distributor and the pump shaft to engage correctly.

Be sure the distributor isn't bottoming out by temporarily removing the gasket between the distributor and intake and setting the distributor into position. Then lift up on the top plate to be sure there's still a small amount of clearance. If there isn't clearance, use nylon spacers made for setting the distributor height. The shim kits are sold through Summit and Jegs, etc. from Moroso, Mr. Gasket, Jegs brand, and others as well. The kits typically contain 0.030", 0.060", and 0.090" (or 0.100", depending on brand) shims. Don't just stack fiber washers, they'll become oil logged and crush down and you'll lose the clearance if the clamp is tightened.

[lmsport]

Originally Posted by chucksrt

Iirc the dist gear is marked with a dot/dimple on one side of it. I will look again. I will also try to find the old dist and take some pics to show what I am talking about.

That dimple has to align with a mark on the distributor body when the timing marks are aligned, ie when #6 is at TDC compression.

[malc]

Vortech GM Small Block V8 Distributor installation instructions.

[lmsport]

Rotate the number 1 cylinder to Top Dead Center (TDC) of the compression stroke. The engine front cover has 2 alignment tabs and the crankshaft balancer has 2 alignment marks (spaced 90 degrees apart) which are used for positioning number 1 piston at Top Dead Center (TDC) . With the piston on the compression stroke and at top dead center, the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (1) must align with the engine front cover tab (2) and the crankshaft balancer alignment mark (4) must align with the engine front cover tab (3).

1. Rotate the crankshaft balancer clockwise until the alignment marks on the crankshaft balancer are aligned with the tabs on the engine front cover and the number 1 piston is at top dead center of the compression stroke.





2. Align white paint mark on the bottom stem of the distributor, and the pre-drilled indent hole in the bottom of the gear (3). NOTE: The OBD II ignition system distributor driven gear and rotor may be installed in multiple positions. In order to avoid mistakes, mark the distributor on the following components in order to ensure the same mounting position upon reassembly:

o The distributor driven gear
o The distributor shaft
o The rotor holes



Installing the driven gear 180 degrees out of alignment, or locating the rotor in the wrong holes, will cause a no-start condition. Premature engine wear or damage may result.

3. With the gear in this position, the rotor segment should be positioned as shown for a V6 engine (1) or V8 engine (2).

o The alignment will not be exact.
o If the driven gear is installed incorrectly, the dimple will be approximately 180 degrees opposite of the rotor segment when the gear is installed in the distributor.

4. Using a long screw driver, align the oil pump drive shaft to the drive tab of the distributor.
5. Guide the distributor into the engine. Ensure that the spark plug towers are perpendicular to the centerline of the engine.

graphic
6. Once the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast into the distributor base.




o This pointer may have a 6 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 6 cylinder engine or a 8 cast into it, indicating that the distributor is to be used on a 8 cylinder engine.
o If the rotor segment does not come within a few degrees of the pointer, the gear mesh between the distributor and the camshaft may be off a tooth or more.
o If this is the case, repeat the procedure again in order to achieve proper alignment.

[cobalt327]

Is there a forum or automotive site that doesn't have those instructions? Anyway Here is a version that also has instructions for if the engine wasn't disturbed. The instructions above are for when the engine WAS disturbed while the distributor was out. Might help the next guy.

[vncruiser]

This thread has really gone 2 pages? I think the OP needs some help in the flesh...

[68NovaSS]

Originally Posted by vncruiser

This thread has really gone 2 pages? I think the OP needs some help in the flesh...

I know, I suspect the OP has heard the term "180 out" for timing issues and is taking that out of context. Note the gear was never removed from the dist. The gear diameter determines how many teeth are on it, and if they are the same size teeth, it will mesh. That is of course unless it's the wrong distributor or gear.