HEI 8 pin module

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dart_68

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Quick question, I hope...

If using the 8 pin module for conversion and don't connect the computer terminal lead, does the module have a built in advance at idle? I'm having a bugger of a problem trying to track down an ignition gremlin that acts like it's too far advanced when I try to start it.

360 LA, 17* initial advance. I've double checked the initial advance to make sure I'm on the compression stroke, distributor is in right, wires are in correct firing order.

Thanks.
 
Bang on Greg, TrailBeast. I think you need to ground the control pin but don't do so without some research. I just use the old 4 pin
 
Another smart guy, using manifold connected vac adv.
 
I bet the vac advance is advancing while cranking at manifold vacuum, try it with it capped off or at PORTED vac.
 
Ok, after fighting with the ignition system I think I found the problem. I static timed the engine and aligned a point on the reluctor with the point on the pickup and with rotor pointed to #1. Something I happened to notice is that the rotor was not actually pointed at the #1 cap tower...it was off by quite a bit. I pulled the distributor and was looking at how the reluctor aligning pin was in relation to the rotor and compared it to another distributor. The reluctor pin was in a different location compared to the old distributor thus causing what I think is a big rotor phasing problem. I'm not sure as the distributor I was comparing to is a duel pickup type probably from a truck.

Would someone be able to post a picture of a known good stock distributor showing the location of the reluctor pin groove and the rotor locating groove?

Thanks!
 
Here is one I pull off, looks to be 12 o clock on one grove and the other just a little past 6:30 on the lower pin grove.. hope this helps.

IMG_4327.JPG
 
Thanks. Do you have a distributor you can take a picture that shows the reluctor pin groove and the rotor groove on the center shaft together?
Here is the deal on that. The reluctor is made to fit either B/RB which rotate CCW, or small block which rotate CW. So you use the slot with the CW arrow for the SB, and the other slot for B/RB engines
 
Ok, after fighting with the ignition system I think I found the problem. I static timed the engine and aligned a point on the reluctor with the point on the pickup and with rotor pointed to #1. Something I happened to notice is that the rotor was not actually pointed at the #1 cap tower...it was off by quite a bit. I pulled the distributor and was looking at how the reluctor aligning pin was in relation to the rotor and compared it to another distributor. The reluctor pin was in a different location compared to the old distributor thus causing what I think is a big rotor phasing problem. I'm not sure as the distributor I was comparing to is a duel pickup type probably from a truck.

Would someone be able to post a picture of a known good stock distributor showing the location of the reluctor pin groove and the rotor locating groove?

Thanks!

When you say "off a bit" what do you mean. The rotor when the reluctor is triggering will be more like "corner to corner" with the rotor and cap contacts. This is because of vacuum advance. As the vacuum advance moves, the rotor contact will advance more andmore "into" the center of the cap contact.

Google "rotor phasing." You have several possibilities
1.. Rotor phasing is just fine and you are imagining
2...You have the trigger wires reversed regardless of what color/ diagrams say
3...There is actually something wrong AKA reluctor made incorrectly, wrong slot, worn/ damaged distributor, whatever.

There is only one way to know for sure and that is to check "rotor phasing" as shown in videos on google
 
Got another question - If connecting a mopar electronic distributor to an 8 PIN module, which wire goes where? Picture the male/female connector of the pickup - which wire connects to the P terminal on the module?
 
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