1969 Dodge LA 318 engine timing.

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William Anderson

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I am changing out a point type distributer with a HEI distributer. The original distributer is still in the truck because I want to get everything in the proper place before I remove the old distributer. My problem is this. #1 cylinder top of cylinder, Timing mark is close enough 8* before TDC. However, the rotor is pointing to the 9:00 position. I believe it should be pointing towards the #1 cylinder but the #1 plug wire is connected to the rotor position at the 9:00 position. Please tell me what you think I should do If anything.
 
Apparently someone has installed the distributor 180 out and then rewired the cap to make it work......

you can leave it like it is....but...if you know what you are doing I would move the distributor and correct the wiring on the cap.....

the intermediate shaft should not have to be moved...just the distributor..
 
Apparently someone has installed the distributor 180 out and then rewired the cap to make it work......

you can leave it like it is....but...if you know what you are doing I would move the distributor and correct the wiring on the cap.....

the intermediate shaft should not have to be moved...just the distributor..
Thanks for the reply. I agree with you, but I don't understand the 9:00 position.
 
Apparently someone has installed the distributor 180 out and then rewired the cap to make it work......

you can leave it like it is....but...if you know what you are doing I would move the distributor and correct the wiring on the cap.....

the intermediate shaft should not have to be moved...just the distributor..
Hang on brother, If you stand in front of the rad,and take the #1 front intake bolt to be about 5 o'clock, and the rotor is at 9 o'clock, then the intermediate shaft WILL have to be reclocked, if you want it to match the FSM
But if you are standing in front of the driver's fender, then the #1 front intake bolt would be at about 7-o'clock, and the I-shaft would still have to be re-clocked..... to match the FSM.
>>But if the distributor driveshaft tang is not in alignment with the rotor, then all bets are off.

So the trick question is; "where is 9 o'clock".

If; you're not familiar with distributor clocking,
And; the wires are currently long enough to be properly routed,
And; the new D drops in with rotor pointing the same as the outgoing D,
then; I suggest to leave the I-shaft where it is; it's of no consequence to the engine where it is so long as the wires are properly indexed.
because; reclocking for a newbe can be a frustrating experience, as the oil pump can be a cantankerous thing to bullseye.
 
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I have never cared. The engine/distributor (whatever) does not run differently based on where the rotor points...guess I am not picky. Restoration thing?

sb
 
I have never cared. The engine/distributor (whatever) does not run differently based on where the rotor points...guess I am not picky. Restoration thing?

sb

This is a good point..........

You can...........throw the drive gear in blindfolded and..........

toss the distributor in right after it, it will only fit two ways

Then bring the no1 up on compression, ready to fire, timing marks NOT at no1 but rather "where" you want initial timing, say, 12BTC and then plug the no1 wire in wherever the rotor points. This is of course with the vacuum can in such a place that you have some "swing" to adjust

The main reason there are specified procedures to intall the dist. is so the assembly line folks can "rinse, repeat" and so tune up mechanics saw what they expected

AND................depending on "what" distributor you have, the drive tang may not be indexed to the rotor same as your old one!!
 
This is a good point..........

You can...........throw the drive gear in blindfolded and..........

toss the distributor in right after it, it will only fit two ways

Then bring the no1 up on compression, ready to fire, timing marks NOT at no1 but rather "where" you want initial timing, say, 12BTC and then plug the no1 wire in wherever the rotor points. This is of course with the vacuum can in such a place that you have some "swing" to adjust

The main reason there are specified procedures to intall the dist. is so the assembly line folks can "rinse, repeat" and so tune up mechanics saw what they expected

AND................depending on "what" distributor you have, the drive tang may not be indexed to the rotor same as your old one!!
Thank you for your reply. I think I will pull the distributer with the rotor pointing at the 9:00 position. That would be #7 cylinder.
 
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