distributor

[sext7366]

quick question ...on my 383 the vacuum advance touches the heater hose not allowing me to advance the timing any more.  If I Pull the distributor with the cap off and rotate it 180 degrees, while leaving the rotor pointing in the same initial position, then reistall the cap, will this keep everything the way it currently is, or will the timing change?

[Steve P.]

I had to read that twice, but I think I get where you are going..  I would first move the plug wires one space backward and see if you can get your required advance. If this works for you and you want to leave it that way it is no big deal.  When I owned a shop I never paid any attention to where the book said no.1 SHOULD be. People mess with things all the time. I ALLLLLLLWAYS go straight to No.1 spark plug and trace that wire. This leaves nothing to doubt.

If it works for you but you still want it where the book says,, well,,, then it's time to get out a few tools and pull the distributer and lift and turn back your oil pump drive.  Doing this you will probably have to manually turn back your oil pump to get the drive to drop back in to it's propper spot. That isn't any biggie either as long as you have a very long piece of hex rod to fit into the pump..

Is this a fresh build or is your timing chain about to leave you stranded??

[sext7366]

Fresh build maybe 2000 miles, just guessing

[mikepmcs]

Please don't take this the wrong way but....
Can't you just extend or reposition the heater hose.  I have a 383 and didn't experience this when I adjusted my timing.
My vac advance on the dist is no where near my heater hoses come to think of it......
I just googled some pics of 383's and it looks like most are about 2 inches away.
Am I missing something here?

v/r
Mike

[sext7366]

my cam is a bit large 230/236 duration other than that?

[firefighter3931]

(1) Bring the engine to TDC firing on number 1 cylinder.....the piston will be at the top of the bore when it is ready to fire. If you're not sure, pull the #1 plug and put a small piece of wire down into the cylinder....you will feel the piston close to the top. If you don't feel the piston....you are at BDC (bottom dead center) and need to rotate it over again until the timing mark lines up.

(2) remove the cap and rotate the distributor until you're happy with the vacuum can location....it should be approx halfway between the fore/aft maximum range of movement....basicly in the middle to allow distributor rotation.

(3) Put the cap on and line up the rotor with the closest tower to the rotor tip.....this will be your #1 plugwire.

(4) Follow the firing order going couterclockwise and move the plugwires as required. Firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

(5) try to fire the engine....it might fire or not...depending on how close you are to the correct amount of advance. It helps to have someone else with you while trying to fire the engine. Have the helper turn the ignition key and pump the pedal. If it doesn't fire....rotate the distributor slightly and it will come to life.

(6) with that cam, you should be running approx 18* of initial timing and 36-38* total. Dialing in more base timing will really wake the engine up....trust me ! 



Ron