firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Lots over overthinking going on.
1.......It matters not where the distributor is, if the rotor is pointing at the no6 cylinder plug wire when no1 should be firing that IS THE definition of "180 out"
2......The only reason on these cars "why" there's a "specific way" of installing the distributor is so
A.....The assembly line folks can wrench, repeat
B.....The plug wires "lay nice"
C....The mechanics that come after "see what they expect to see."
THE REALITY
You don't even need to know "where it's supposed to be"
You don't need to know the firing order
You don't need to know, because you can figure it out. Good example was an old case tractor Dad and I restored. We didn't know the firing order, it was either 1342 or 1432. We figured it out by cranking it over and determining what cylinder came up on compression at what point in rotation
So..........
1.....As some have said, USE A PISTON STOP and check timing marks. Very very important, and not more than a 1/2 hour job the first time you do so
2....You can "throw" the distributor gear in any old way. It simply does not matter
3....You can "toss" the distributor in next and IT does not matter.
4....Stick your finger in no1. Bump until you feel compression. Then watch the marks carefully as they will be "coming up." This puts you on no1 "ready to fire" and PREVENTS being "180 out" because this insure no1 is on the compression stroke
5....Bring the marks up to "where you want timing." 10 BTC, etc
6....Rotate the distributor so the vacuum can has "plenty of room." If you have points, RETARD to make sure the points are CLOSED, then slowly ADVANCE the distributor (CCW) until the points open. Use a light, ohmeter, whtever . If it's breakerless, rotate until the reluctor tip is in the center of the pickup coil
7....Using the cap, figure out which tower contact the rotor IS APPROACHING going clockwise
8...Plug no1 into that hole, and run the rest of the wires as per firing order, clockwise.
9....Start the engine.
=====================================
Now, you can REFINE the above. If you are picky, and want the no1 wire in "the correct hole," THIS IS WHERE the factory manual comes in, IE point the distributor gear drive tang at the front left intake manifold bolt hole. This is with the timing marks at TDC matters not whether no1 or no6 is ready to fire, and the tang can go in either 1/2 turn.
CAVEAT. Some distributors are NOT INDEXED this way, so if you "have one" that distributor IS NOT going to end up with no1 in the "correct hole." You will have to set it up, then remove the dist. and walk the gear a tooth or two to correct. Frankly, I don't bother
The old case we restored. It was a pullin motha let me tell YOU
Lots over overthinking going on.
1.......It matters not where the distributor is, if the rotor is pointing at the no6 cylinder plug wire when no1 should be firing that IS THE definition of "180 out"
2......The only reason on these cars "why" there's a "specific way" of installing the distributor is so
A.....The assembly line folks can wrench, repeat
B.....The plug wires "lay nice"
C....The mechanics that come after "see what they expect to see."
THE REALITY
You don't even need to know "where it's supposed to be"
You don't need to know the firing order
You don't need to know, because you can figure it out. Good example was an old case tractor Dad and I restored. We didn't know the firing order, it was either 1342 or 1432. We figured it out by cranking it over and determining what cylinder came up on compression at what point in rotation
So..........
1.....As some have said, USE A PISTON STOP and check timing marks. Very very important, and not more than a 1/2 hour job the first time you do so
2....You can "throw" the distributor gear in any old way. It simply does not matter
3....You can "toss" the distributor in next and IT does not matter.
4....Stick your finger in no1. Bump until you feel compression. Then watch the marks carefully as they will be "coming up." This puts you on no1 "ready to fire" and PREVENTS being "180 out" because this insure no1 is on the compression stroke
5....Bring the marks up to "where you want timing." 10 BTC, etc
6....Rotate the distributor so the vacuum can has "plenty of room." If you have points, RETARD to make sure the points are CLOSED, then slowly ADVANCE the distributor (CCW) until the points open. Use a light, ohmeter, whtever . If it's breakerless, rotate until the reluctor tip is in the center of the pickup coil
7....Using the cap, figure out which tower contact the rotor IS APPROACHING going clockwise
8...Plug no1 into that hole, and run the rest of the wires as per firing order, clockwise.
9....Start the engine.
=====================================
Now, you can REFINE the above. If you are picky, and want the no1 wire in "the correct hole," THIS IS WHERE the factory manual comes in, IE point the distributor gear drive tang at the front left intake manifold bolt hole. This is with the timing marks at TDC matters not whether no1 or no6 is ready to fire, and the tang can go in either 1/2 turn.
CAVEAT. Some distributors are NOT INDEXED this way, so if you "have one" that distributor IS NOT going to end up with no1 in the "correct hole." You will have to set it up, then remove the dist. and walk the gear a tooth or two to correct. Frankly, I don't bother
The old case we restored. It was a pullin motha let me tell YOU
