The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
9 - 11 Memorials

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
3 members (sron48, 1955 1 Series, Southerntruck), 37 guests, and 10 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics128,010
Posts1,055,308
Members48,419
Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Brad Allen's photos

AD Chevy Trucks

Pictures galore
Over 6,000 pictures

Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips.

Check them out!

Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!

Big Thanks!

THANKS!

For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for

over 30 years!

and not clogged down
with Ads!


Again, thanks!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#719024 02/07/2011 6:28 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 150
S
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
S Offline
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 150
I've read several posts/tips about installing the distributor with teeth lined up, etc. What I don't understand is, if you drop in the distributor with distributor wire that goes to (-) of coil facing away from the engine, THEN get TDC and wire plugs accordingly (with #1 wire adjacent to rotor), does it matter that, as several posts have stated, the distributor is a tooth or two off? I didn't think that would matter if you static timed the engine.

Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,107
5
'Bolter
'Bolter
5 Offline
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,107

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 150
S
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
S Offline
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 150
Thanks, but, again, is that necessary if, once you find TDC, you drop the distributor in and make sure that the #1 spark plug wire is adjacent to the rotor?

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Originally Posted by starsfan
Thanks, but, again, is that necessary if, once you find TDC, you drop the distributor in and make sure that the #1 spark plug wire is adjacent to the rotor?


You are correct.

How did you find #1 TDC (on firing/compression stroke)?

Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 85
Z
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
Z Offline
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 85
What i do is.. find TDC drop the dist in. Match the rotor up to the cap bu turning the distibutor. Tighten down enough that you can move the dist without it moving back. Start then time. Have done it NUMEROUS times with my muscle cars without issue. THe only issue i had has with being off a couple teeth is with the vaccuum advance interferring withteh block when trying to time the engine.

Also what we do to quickly get TDC is remove spark plug and put finger over hole. Turn engine until finger is forced off the hole from the pressure. you are real close to TDC at that point.

Last edited by Zleviticus; 02/07/2011 10:52 PM.

52 Chevy 1/2 ton - work in progress
65 Mustang coupe - work not in progress smile
67 Mustang GT convertibile
67 Camaro RS/SS
We are now even with fords and chevys. smile
Now i need a mopar. Hahahahahahahahaha
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,107
5
'Bolter
'Bolter
5 Offline
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,107
Originally Posted by starsfan
Thanks, but, again, is that necessary
no, however i have three trucks and keeping them all the same is helpful at times.

Joined: May 2004
Posts: 150
S
Wrench Fetcher
Wrench Fetcher
S Offline
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 150
I'm finding TDC by using the finger over the #1 spark plug hole, then feeling compression when engine is turned over. As a backup, I use a compression tester and screw it into the #1 plug hole and turn over engine to get TDC according to when gauge shows highest compression.


Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0