Distributor, timing, cut off ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

66clow · 11-01-2017, 10:21 PM

I have a 350 I changed the intake manifold gasket. Pulled carb, dist, etc. Thought I marked the dist correctly. Now the truck starts but then just shuts down sometimes less than a mile sometimes several miles. I let it sit for a few minutes and it will start again. I'm thinking there is an issue with the distributor install and timing. I hooked a timing light and turn the dist as far as I can go clockwise and the timing mark won't make it to the marks. Counter clockwise it starts to cut off and move further away from the marks. Also after it cuts off when you initially try to start it it cranks really slow like the timing is way off. But I let it sit then starts normal. Photos show where the timing mark is and dist location. Truck ran fine before teardown.

**HO455** · 11-01-2017, 10:45 PM

I would pull the distributor and reset it. Most likely you are a tooth off on it. The shaft turns some when you pull it out and it has to turn some when you install it. If you don't compensate for that when you put it back in you will end up off. You want to end up with vacuum hose connection on the advance mechanism pointed to the front of the truck. There are dozens of video's on how to do this on available on line that will show you what to do to get it right. A picture is worth at least 2000 of my words.

Good Luck!

**kwmech** · 11-02-2017, 12:43 AM

Yup, definitely off a tooth or more. Happens quite often with the oil pump drive not lining up when stabbing the dizzy back in

66clow · 11-02-2017, 06:50 AM

Glad it is sounding that easy. I'll let you know thanks. Actually do you know which direction I need to go? Clock or counter?

Gates72ss · 11-02-2017, 07:08 AM

yep had that happen like almost every time we put a new distributor in haha ..so easy to be off a tooth or 2 ..

**HO455** · 11-02-2017, 08:24 AM

Counterclockwise.

racerop · 11-02-2017, 02:34 PM

I would suggest hooking up a dwell meter and
see if it is swinging wildly
The distributor might need
a rebuild

66clow · 11-18-2017, 05:18 PM

Discovered my cut off issue, the distributor was off a tooth but it was cutting off due to a bad coil! Yeah all fixed up. Thanks all!

11-01-2017, 10:21 PM	#1
66clow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clearwater Beach Florida Posts: 872	Distributor, timing, cut off ? I have a 350 I changed the intake manifold gasket. Pulled carb, dist, etc. Thought I marked the dist correctly. Now the truck starts but then just shuts down sometimes less than a mile sometimes several miles. I let it sit for a few minutes and it will start again. I'm thinking there is an issue with the distributor install and timing. I hooked a timing light and turn the dist as far as I can go clockwise and the timing mark won't make it to the marks. Counter clockwise it starts to cut off and move further away from the marks. Also after it cuts off when you initially try to start it it cranks really slow like the timing is way off. But I let it sit then starts normal. Photos show where the timing mark is and dist location. Truck ran fine before teardown. Attached Images

11-01-2017, 10:45 PM	#2
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,350	Re: Distributor, timing, cut off ? I would pull the distributor and reset it. Most likely you are a tooth off on it. The shaft turns some when you pull it out and it has to turn some when you install it. If you don't compensate for that when you put it back in you will end up off. You want to end up with vacuum hose connection on the advance mechanism pointed to the front of the truck. There are dozens of video's on how to do this on available on line that will show you what to do to get it right. A picture is worth at least 2000 of my words. Good Luck! __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

11-02-2017, 12:43 AM	#3
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,630	Re: Distributor, timing, cut off ? Yup, definitely off a tooth or more. Happens quite often with the oil pump drive not lining up when stabbing the dizzy back in

11-02-2017, 06:50 AM	#4
66clow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clearwater Beach Florida Posts: 872	Re: Distributor, timing, cut off ? Glad it is sounding that easy. I'll let you know thanks. Actually do you know which direction I need to go? Clock or counter?

11-02-2017, 07:08 AM	#5
Gates72ss Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pittsfield Ma Posts: 37	Re: Distributor, timing, cut off ? yep had that happen like almost every time we put a new distributor in haha ..so easy to be off a tooth or 2 .. __________________ 69 c10 step side shorty ( resto ariz truck ) 85 shortbed lifted , 454 68 camaro i frame off restored 83 lifted stepside lifted 2011 tahoe

11-02-2017, 08:24 AM	#6
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,350	Re: Distributor, timing, cut off ? Counterclockwise. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

11-02-2017, 02:34 PM	#7
racerop Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Laurel Springs, NJ Posts: 94	Re: Distributor, timing, cut off ? I would suggest hooking up a dwell meter and see if it is swinging wildly The distributor might need a rebuild

11-18-2017, 05:18 PM	#8
66clow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Clearwater Beach Florida Posts: 872	Re: Distributor, timing, cut off ? Discovered my cut off issue, the distributor was off a tooth but it was cutting off due to a bad coil! Yeah all fixed up. Thanks all!

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