The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop '57 235 - replacing distributor correctly?

Heya folks.

1953 chevy truck, 3100.

1957 235 inline six engine, running on 12 volts.

This engine was running ok after dad rebuilt the carberetor(model b rochester), but he decided to change the plugs and clean up the points on the distributor.

My dad took the distributor out of the engine, so he could clean up the points, etc.. He thought he put it back in like he took it out, but something is amiss, as it'll turn but it will not fire.

Which cylinder is the number one cylinder?

What is the procedure for getting everything back in tune? Cuz it is all over the place now, where do we start?


We have on hand the 1948-1951 model, including the 1952 supplement shop manual and the 1957 truck, shop manual. There may be something useful in there, but I have not found the exact page yet.

Thanks for any suggestions folks.

-W

Cylinders are numbered front to rear. When replacing the distributor have the #1 cylinder at TDC which can be verified by the ball on the flywheel. The wiring in the cap should correspond to the plug wire going to the #1 cylinder. Timing is then set by advancing the distributor by the proper amount to fire BTDC according to the flywheel mark (ball).

Dad probably set it to point at the same place as when he took it out but not realizing the rotation of the rotor due to the spiral cut distributor gear. I'd bet he's off one tooth either short or long so to speak. Or, he could be off 180 degrees. I've seen it done both ways many times.

Woogeroo,

There are several ways to do it. I like to do it this way. It can be made easier by pulling the plugs...using the fan, turn the engine over by hand until the small BB or mark on the flywheel lines up with the sharp little pointer in the bellhousing hole above the starter. As you do this, have DAD hold his finger over the spark plug hole for #1 which is the cylinder right smack dab in front.

The BB or mark on the flywheel can line up with the pointer twice but the air rushing past Dad's finger will be the clue as to which alignment you want. This will be Top Dead Center on #1 cylinder...it is getting ready to fire.

When you are lined in the peep hole, you can stick the distributor in being careful to get the tang into the oil pump drive properly.

After the distributor is seated all the way, center it in its rotational adjustment and stick the rotor on. Wherever the rotor is pointing is where #1 plug wire goes and the rest of the wires follow in a clockwise direction in firing order...153624. This is one way to do it!

Stuart

Thanks folks...

Once at TDC, where should the rotor be pointing? At the number one cylinder?

-W

Woog,,,,your shop manual that youre using will show the correct firing order. All 216s,235s, and 261s have the same firing order. As automarc said(he's a walking shop manual) the cylinder in front is #1. After that its 5,3,6,2,4, counting from the front of the motor,to the rear. Super important is that the dist. is seated ALL the way down,,,,into the oil pump. After that,snap the cap on,and it should be somewhere real close to firing,,maybe with just a lil twist of the dist.
good luck,
Marty
P.S. i just read your last post. the rotor will be pointing to the no. 1 WIRE,not necessarily to the cyl.

Woogeroo,

Remember, each cylinder comes to TDC twice...you want the one on compression! This was the air rushing by the finger routine. This is the only arbitrary mechanical position..everything else is relative. Once you have #1 on TDC you can position the distributor anywhere you want as long as you seat it in the oil pump. Wherever it ends up pointing (the rotor)..voila, that will be where #1 plug wire goes! Just like Marty said.

Purists will tell you that #1 plug wire should be in a certain place. This is fine if you want to be technically accurate, otherwise, #1 plug wire goes right smack dab above the rotor when #1 cylinder is at TDC. Distributor rotation will be clockwise and wires will follow in 153624 order.

EDIT. The cylinders are numbered from front to back 1 through 6...one in front then 2 then 3 etc. The firing order is 153624 but the cylinders are sequential, front to back!

Stuart

Another way is to pop off the valve cover and watch the valves move up and down, that way you can see when its on the compression stroke.

Besides, my fingers always get stuck in the hole when I do it the other way!

I found the firing order in the '57 truck shop manual.

Pop said he read through that and tried it, but maybe he needs someone to turn it over while he checks it out under the hood.

Thanks for all of the information folks,

I'll let ya know how it goes if we get to tinker on it.

-W

All is correct above, but if I read you correctly I think what your asking is where should the rotor be pointing to #1 when it is at TDC??
Straight to the right side, perpendicular to the engine and just a tad toward the front, maybe 5° or 10°. Then just rotate the housing until the points just break. Snug it up and that should be good enough to start it, then set the timing with your light.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny Graham,

Is there a factory location for #1 plug wire. I looked in several of my books and didn't find a specific spot called out. I have seen other folks mention that it should be located just about where you indicate but I have never seen this in writing.

For the novice, this could be another factor for confusion, as the engine will function fine regardless of where #1 plug wire is located on the cap. I have always figured this was a 'anal' deal...It is obvious you are a perfectionist.

Stuart

Right you are Stu, put it anywhere it feels comfortable as long as they're in the right sequance and the wires fit.
I don't think that I have seen it written anywhere either. I have looked at a lot of engines and pictures and just traced the #1 wire down to the distributor and most all that I've seen have it located where I mentined.
Denny G

Atomarc

The military manual for my 270 shows the low-tension stud facing directly rearward, on the body of the distributor.
I think for memory this would coincide with Denny's description for the No.1 lead socket - but, as you said, it's not going to affect function as long as everything is relative.

Ken, the housing could be turned in any direction that would physically allow it, and like Stu said, #1 can be situated at any one of the six positions as long as the direction of rotation and firing sequence is maintained. The housing is generally orientated that way as a matter of convenience for easy access (placing the stud on the open side) and because of the grease cup boss.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Well, no joy today... it acted like it wanted to start... but no go.

I guess we'll fiddle with it another day.

bummer.

-W

Dad also reminded me that when he got the '53 truck, the distributor was in a box, in the cab.

He said he didn't have this much trouble getting it in then, and the engine bay area was in much worse shape, mechanically speaking.

I guess we'll keep at it.


-W

Howdy folks.

Dad took everything back out, reevaluated the situation and started over.

He told me he got it running again, I was at school trying to make parts out of metal.

Thanks again for all of the information everyone,

-W