Distributor changeout Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mountain Man · 05-10-2004, 08:59 PM

My junkyard HEI is turning out to be a piece of SH*%. I have decided to go with a Pertronix aftermarket HEI. At least I will know everything is new and working.

My question is, if I mark where the rotor is pointing when I take my current one out, can I drop in the new one with the rotor pointing in the same position as the old one, and be timed properly. I would like to hook up my spark plug wires in the same cap position as they are currently as they are custom trimmed to length. Will this work?

krue · 05-10-2004, 09:20 PM

It should get you pretty close. I have done it before but it's a pain in the butt to do.

*Randy70C-10* · 05-10-2004, 10:52 PM

It would work as long as the distributor itself is pointing in the same exact direction as well. The direction that the rotor is pointing actually doesn't matter as long as it's in the same postion in ref. to the distributor. You can mark the postion on the distributor housing with a Sharpie marker and by looking at the two distributors you can transfer the mark to the new one. No matter how the distributor drops in, the rotor should point to this mark. (I hope I didn't confuse you, I almost confused myself)

walker · 05-10-2004, 11:08 PM

Or just mark where the rotor is pointing and mark where the vac. advance can is pointing (or other similar body feature and it should get you in the ballpark). Missing the position by one tooth has a noticable difference in the rotor position. You will still want to time it with a light after you are all done.

Jeepster376 · 05-10-2004, 11:11 PM

It will only be close enough to start up and then adjust it with a timing light.

It's a good idea to set the engine to TDC and make sure the rotor is pointed at tower 1 before you begin. That way if things get messed up, you know where your at. Just install the new one pointed at tower 1 start it up and time it.

Johnny Outdoors · 05-11-2004, 10:24 PM

make sure the distrib also engages the oil pump drive it should do this in the last 1/4 inch of travel before the dist housing contacts the block
you can turn the pump drive to match up if you have to .
use a long screwdriver
you have to remember the dist continues spinning as it engages the cam gear so you have to plan for the turn so everything lines up on reassembly
as you remove the dist watch as the rotor spins
remember where this starts and reassembly should go easier

jpabberton · 05-12-2004, 12:02 AM

I just converted to HEI last week...I marked the old distributor with the rotor pointing directly towards the fire wall, at the twelve o'clock position, and the new distributor went right in.

I had to purchase new plug wires since I was changing from points. The auto store used a set from a 1984 350 Chevy to make sure they were long enough. Be sure to save your old dust cap, and get the $35.00 core charge when you bring back the old unit.

It fired right up and all had had to do was time it with a light.

05-10-2004, 08:59 PM	#1
Mountain Man Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 451	Distributor changeout Question My junkyard HEI is turning out to be a piece of SH*%. I have decided to go with a Pertronix aftermarket HEI. At least I will know everything is new and working. My question is, if I mark where the rotor is pointing when I take my current one out, can I drop in the new one with the rotor pointing in the same position as the old one, and be timed properly. I would like to hook up my spark plug wires in the same cap position as they are currently as they are custom trimmed to length. Will this work? __________________ 72 C10 Cheyenne Super Full trim Factory tach dash A/C dash Factory tilt 350 / 350 power train - with Edelbrock components.

05-10-2004, 09:20 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	It should get you pretty close. I have done it before but it's a pain in the butt to do. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

05-10-2004, 11:08 PM	#4
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	Or just mark where the rotor is pointing and mark where the vac. advance can is pointing (or other similar body feature and it should get you in the ballpark). Missing the position by one tooth has a noticable difference in the rotor position. You will still want to time it with a light after you are all done. __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold

05-10-2004, 11:11 PM	#5
Jeepster376 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 269	It will only be close enough to start up and then adjust it with a timing light. It's a good idea to set the engine to TDC and make sure the rotor is pointed at tower 1 before you begin. That way if things get messed up, you know where your at. Just install the new one pointed at tower 1 start it up and time it. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 4x4 SWB

05-11-2004, 10:24 PM	#6
Johnny Outdoors SOON TO BE A STEP SIDE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Little Valley, N.Y. Posts: 169	make sure the distrib also engages the oil pump drive it should do this in the last 1/4 inch of travel before the dist housing contacts the block you can turn the pump drive to match up if you have to . use a long screwdriver you have to remember the dist continues spinning as it engages the cam gear so you have to plan for the turn so everything lines up on reassembly as you remove the dist watch as the rotor spins remember where this starts and reassembly should go easier __________________ 67 CHEVY LONGBED----- BEST 51 DOLLARS EVER SPENT ON EBAY! 4.3 LITER INJECTED MOTOR WITH 5 SPEED GOING IN SOON

05-10-2004, 10:52 PM	#3
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	It would work as long as the distributor itself is pointing in the same exact direction as well. The direction that the rotor is pointing actually doesn't matter as long as it's in the same postion in ref. to the distributor. You can mark the postion on the distributor housing with a Sharpie marker and by looking at the two distributors you can transfer the mark to the new one. No matter how the distributor drops in, the rotor should point to this mark. (I hope I didn't confuse you, I almost confused myself)

05-12-2004, 12:02 AM	#7
jpabberton madcow Join Date: May 2004 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 86	I just converted to HEI last week...I marked the old distributor with the rotor pointing directly towards the fire wall, at the twelve o'clock position, and the new distributor went right in. I had to purchase new plug wires since I was changing from points. The auto store used a set from a 1984 350 Chevy to make sure they were long enough. Be sure to save your old dust cap, and get the $35.00 core charge when you bring back the old unit. It fired right up and all had had to do was time it with a light.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.