Distributor Installation

[Quickstop [UK]]

I searched and found the correct way to find TDC on #1 cylinder and believe I have done this correctly.

I then installed the distributor and think I did that correctly too.

In retrospect though, I have a question which may appear a bit dumb. I just wanted to make doubly sure I understand it properly.

The dis sits on the oil pump and also with the gear teeth of the crank. Once installed the distributor shaft can only turn in harmony with the crank.

My confusion comes from the housing of the distributor - I can't remember but basically it seems that if the distributor housing were loose (say if the lock down clamp wasn't on correctly) then the housing can rotate in the block even though the shaft is stationary. This could affect timing right?

So in theory, you could make life easy and just drop the distributor into the block not caring about the position of the pointer and once it was in just find TDC then point the housing to the pointer so it is aligned at TDC on #1? (This is the opposite way I did it 0 I found TDC then dropped the dis in pointing to #1).

Does that make sense?

I am guessing that for it to work properly, the distributor clamp has to be down tight right?

Have I missed something?

If you want to advance or retard your timing would you loosen the distributor and then using a gun or timing light, rotate the distributor until you had the desired position?

Is there a reference I can read up on it?

Thanks!

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Distributor Installation

once you drop it in the rotor bug will only turn with the cam which is turned by the crank. yes you could just drop it in and find tdc then and where ever it points will be number one in the firing order.

 

[kentuc]

Re: Distributor Installation

Yes, it would work that way but..........on most cars you will create clearance problems with vacuum advance, oil pressure switch,etc.
They are clocked a certain way for a reason.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Distributor Installation

ours aren't clocked though are they? I didn't see any key when I installed it and it rotated freely in the hole.

Seems real easy to mess it up!

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Distributor Installation

Dave,

I wasn't suggesting doing it that way at all, just curious as to the setting of the timing. It seems the running of the truck is dependent on the distributor being orientated the correct way and held by the one bolt - seemed a bit odd to me.

Also, while going through the elec manual, I found this wiring diagram:

I have been working on:

Firewall

6 5
4 3
2 1

Front of Ty


Did I screw up? I timed it to #1 which was at TDC with the white mark next to the zero on my balancer so that seems right - is the pic above a misprint?

 

[nallj92]

Re: Distributor Installation

http://whitetyphoon.com/firing_order.html

 

[kentuc]

Re: Distributor Installation

Left bank is 1 3 5

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Distributor Installation

That's awesome! Thanks!

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Distributor Installation

um...so kentuc says left bank is 1 3 5 and that agrees with the manual or do you mean left as if you were sitting in the driver seat facing the right of the truck?

I am sure the diagram is wrong - just curious why it would differ from what everyone is saying here...

 

[Don W.]

Re: Distributor Installation

Actually the image is upside down. Cyls 1 3 5 are on the drivers side. Seems that everyone somehow gets confused with left and right as in from what point of view. :roll:

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Distributor Installation

cool thanks guys. My truck still has the dvr side on the left of the truck. Swapping the steering over the the "correct" side is one project too far for this vehicle!

The image came out of the SyTy elec wiring diagram so I have no idea why it isn't clearer. The above image works ok if you were looking from the bottom of the truck.

:tup:

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Distributor Installation

To make this more interesting, I found in the SyTy supplement the correct wiring diagram< the one that corresponds with what everyone on here says...