Minor timing issue becomes a major problem

What started out as overheating issue most likely due to bad vacuum advance has grown to a moderate sized problem . I changed the VA canister ( which was not holding vacuum when tested. I removed the distributor- I’ve done this a couple of times and now have a no start backfiring out of exhaust . My distributor has a Pertronix Ignitor pointless ignition installed which performed flawlessly the last few years . I removed distributor and replaced it exactly as I have done. So far I’ve verified the rotor is turning as I crank it .All wiring connections appear correct. Distributor is fully seated in the groove and picts I took prior to removal match up with what I’m looking at now . Also it appears timing is advanced by how it cranks .’Too late to do anything tonight, will be at it tomorrow.’any and all input is welcomed

 

It sounds like you are a tooth off. Sometimes you can rotate it enough to get it back in time without pulling the distributor.

However, at this point, you need to reestablish #1 TDC and set the rotor and cap to match. Then you can retime it to your preferred setting.

 

Did the motor move while the distributor was out?

 

Did you put a timing light on it?

 

If you think it's adavanved rotate the distributor clockwise a little and try again.

 

Update... static timed the car and got it too run ; was too late to let it run very long . Ran very poorly, timing is advanced by the way it sounded when cranking . Some Picts of my distributor, could be original. Highlighted my timing mark for accuracy, I was at TDC and this was - looks about 8 degrees, when I got it to turn over .

 

I usually I rotate the distributor body by hand to smooth it out until I can/do get the light on it. I have had mixed results with the Pertonics units. Have you confirmed the presence of all the magnets in the ring under the rotor? I'm a little unclear as to you battle? Rough idle or stalling?

 

My vacuum advance needed to be changed due to car running hot at hwy speed . Putting the distributor back in couldn’t get it to start . I’ll check for those magnets though

 

Starting again once the distributors out takes a bit of practice. Once you have done it a few times, it's easy. I always charge the battery first. I've had mixed luck overall with the Pertronic. The one from 20 years ago worked flawlessly, the recent TWO less than a year each. I put the Electric Limited one on and haven't had a problem. Overheating can be so many things including a lean carburetor condition, fan and shroud, and radiator. Good luck. What's hot to you. Mine seems and seems hot, but is only 195ish.

 

On hot/humid days sitting in traffic 210-215 degrees with a 160 thermostat. When I advanced the timing ( in park at idle ) engine ran better, more responsive, and temperature went down to steady 185 degrees. Prior to this the car , while not having a lot of pull at WOT, did idle smooth at 525 RPMS in drive

 

Your idle speed is too low. Your fan is barely turning at that rpm.

 

Out here with it running. The distributor still has to be off . Difficult a crank over and when it starts runs like crap . Misfiring , idle is racing at 1300RPM’s . Put timing light on it and not seeing timing mark ? When starting it now the distributor is up against the bypass hose . While it was running I slowly rotated the distributor away from the hose ran worse.. Pict of distributor in position where it starts .

 

you need to add a reference mark to the balancer so you can check running timing.

 

I took distributor out again and this time with # 1 piston at compression TDC , set my timing mark to “ 0 “ . Car started up on first crank & adjusted timing to 2 degrees advanced . Car runs smooth as before after adjusting idle. Out of curiosity, hooked up the vacuum gauge to the va while at idle and noted the timing mark advanced and idle picked up when I applied vacuum. Both idle and timing mark returned to their respective settings when I released the vacuum.

 

Looks like you have it running right now. How much advance does your vacuum advance give you at idle? If you have power timed your distributor for full advance to come in faster, you shouldn't have more than about 10 degrees of vacuum advance.