ok so i got a distributor just like this except its a proform. http://www.maverick.to/mmb/showthread.php?t=38621&highlight=hei+distributor+swap i have a few questions. i see an orange mark on the base of the stock distributor. i know that it has some importance but what exactly is it there for. also when i take the old one out i need the #1 cylinder to be at TDC right? do you use the rocker arms to tell where it is? ok...2 more. how do i spin/move the engine into position? where is the harmonic balancer? ok theres all my questions, i know its a lot but i think you guys can help me out. thanks
Harmonic balancer is what the main pulley is attached to at the center and low front of the engine. The timing marks are etched into the balancer. You don't have to put the engine at TDC, just put it in so the new rotor is facing EXACTLY where the old one was before you took it out. After you take out the old distributor, do not under any circumstances let the motor move even a little, or you will be fighting to time it from scratch. That means lots of backfiring and lots of frustration, unless you are lucky the first time. Not sure about the orange mark. If it is on the back side just to the right of the center of the distributor, it "may" be marking #1.
ok..the mark is on the back and to the right. so when i want to set the timing i just rotate the distributor a LITTLE bit? also is the engine cylinder #s like this (facing the front of the car) 4 8 3 7 2 6 1 5
Yes on engine numbering. When looking at engine bay, #1 is first one on the left side (passenger). Once you have the main timing right, the engine is firing on all cylinders and you are not missing or backfiring, then hook up timing light to #1 and point it at the timing marks, and rotate distributor a little whichever way you need to to adjust the advance. Shoot for 6 to 10 degrees before TDC at idle with no vacuum hoses hooked up to the distributor (go 10 if stock block with low compression, won't hurt a thing)
By the way, if you HAVE to spin the engine by hand, there is a big nut inside the lowest pulley that has the balancer on it. Spin it clockwise only. Or you can bump it with the key to get it close to where you want it then socket on the nut to get it exact.
I have that dizzy too. I hadn't even thought about it geting in the way of a/c. Damn that sucks. You got any pics of where it hits?
eddie, I haven't installed it yet...but i was just going over what i was going to do and planning out my swap...but then i thought that it might hit.. I should install it this weekend and ill send you some pictures of before and after. so i will take a picture of what the stock dizzy looks like from above so that i will have a concrete image to compare the two when installing the new distributor. but basically i have to take the old one out and make the new one "look" like the other one, as in make it in the same position?
heres an old pic of when i first installed mine. should help. a/c comp. shouldnt interfere. you will need an offset air cleaner base. easily had for 15-20 bucks. enjoy..oh, and make sure to regap your plugs to at least .055 or your wastin your time.
thanks man...i will gap my plugs and get 1 heat range hotter than stock.. looks really good...i cant wait!! how much of a difference did you get with the new setup. i need a little help with the actual install ... if you don't mind can you give me an overview/step by step guide that you did on the install thanks man EDIT: i already have an offset air cleaner so that shouldn't be a big deal.
