Distributor problems

[dan42]

Well, I goofed up somehow. I was replacing my HEI with a new HEI from Jegs, and I couldn't get it to seat even after I bumped the motor a couple of times. I looked at the bottom of the distributors, and noticed the new one had a wider tab on the bottom where it fits over the oil pump. I ground it down a little and now it seats fine, but I must have bumped the motor over too far, because it won't start and is backfiring through the carb. I tried to get tdc on #1 (or close to it) and static time it - i.e, re-install the distributor with the rotor in the direction of #1 wire. Still backfiring, won't start. I have never done this before, so did I screw something up? It got dark before I could do anything else. Fortunately it's not my dd. Any ideas? One other thing - when I ground the tab down, I had to take out the sheer pin to pull off the sleeve so I could grind it, but I thought I got it back on in the correct position. ANy help or ideaas would be greatly appreciated.

[lbpd719]

sounds like your 180 out... check your timing marks on the balancer and make sure you are really at TDC.

Good Luck

[dan42]

I remember seeing a diagram of the top of a distributor showing the placement of the plug wires, but I can't seem to find it in a thread. Has anyone seen that, so I can double check my plug wires?

[RACINJASON22]

18436572 I will get the pic

RJ22

[RACINJASON22]

post 24 in this thread:

PIC'S NEEDED IN POST #24 LINKY

RJ22...

[VetteVet]

Here is a good one.

[dan42]

Perfect - thanks guys. I attack again tomorrow!

[RACINJASON22]

With what you have done so far and the point your at if the plug wires end up right and it still does not start.

I say start over at top dead center compression stroke and re-stab the dizzy just dont do that bump the engine over technique again just turn the oil pump shatf with a long srew driver till it drops in in the right spot.

I know alot of guys do it that way but, I just personally never do it that way to much room for error.

RJ22..

[VetteVet]

Originally Posted by RACINJASON22

With what you have done so far and the point your at if the plug wires end up right and it still does not start.

I say start over at top dead center compression stroke and re-stab the dizzy just dont do that bump the engine over technique again just turn the oil pump shatf with a long srew driver till it drops in in the right spot.

I know alot of guys do it that way but, I just personally never do it that way to much room for error.

RJ22..

I agree with You about bumping the engine.
If it was running before then the easiest way is to line up the harmonic balancer mark with zero on the timing tab and then pull the distributor cap. If it points at number one then it must be 180 degrees off. If it points at any other plug wire except one or six then line it up with one of those two and if it still won't fire then point it at the opposite one. Does this make sense?
If you pull the number one plug and put your finger in the spark plug hole and bump the engine until it blows your finger out of the hole then you will be on number one compression stroke.
Then roll the engine clockwise until the marks line up and check the rotor and see if it points at no. 1 and if not you need to set it there. Be careful when bumping the engine that you don't go past the timing tab or you'll have to roll it back.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

i dont bump it over i just turn it over by hand that way it doesnt go over and i can do it on my own without hooking up a switch or having someone work the key

[dan42]

Just to follow up, I was actually a little less than 180 degrees off, but it's close and running pretty good now. Thanks for the advice, guys.