Spark Plug Order on Distributor

[Shane]

Hello,

After a few good back fires I got my 340 to fire for a few seconds and stall out. Its obvious I am off a gear or two with my rotor, but my big question is that in my chilton book it shows the number one spark plug wire attachs to the front of the distributer cap in the middle (lined up with the middle of the motor) In my haynes book it shows that the number one plug should attach to the cap on the front but off towards the passenger side of the car just a bit...

Which one is correct? or does it make a difference aslong as i got the distributor put in properly??

thanks again, and this is the first time I am putting a motor and getting it going, so I may be asking the obvious..


Shane

 

[grumpuscreature]

First, the firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, just like a Blowtie.

Second, the distributor cannot be 2 or 3 teeth off. It can only go in right or 180 degrees out. If you pull the cap with number 1 at TDC, the rotor should be facing the front of the engine. If it points to the firewall, it's 180 out. A good starting point for timing is to line up the rotor with the number one tower on the distributor cap with the distributor loose enough to turn by hand with a little effort. If the firing order is right, the rotor is lined up as described, and it still does the same thing, check the cam timing. Hope this helps.

 

[Shane]

It does....I will try again tonight...

Is it big work to check the cam timing?

 

[rumblefish360]

Second, the distributor cannot be 2 or 3 teeth off.

He's correct, but, the intermediate shaft can be 2 or 3 teeth off butting the distributor out of wack when it comes time to twist it into the correct position,

 

[ocdart]

Got to pull the timing cover off the front of the motor and check to verify the timing marks are lined up on the timing chain.
Like 'Grumpus' said, verify #1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke (both intake and exhaust valves closed), the rotor is pointing at the #1 plug wire tower and you should be in the ballpark with the distributor.

 

[Shane]

Quote:
Second, the distributor cannot be 2 or 3 teeth off.
He's correct, but, the intermediate shaft can be 2 or 3 teeth off butting the distributor out of wack when it comes time to twist it into the correct position,
__________________
Thats what I meant..

I believe that I had TDC, but after working 11 hours yesterday, I was lazy and missed pointing it at the number one plug.

Thanks for the help, I will let you how I make out tonight..