How to install distributor in right direction?

I have marked real TDC. And marked 30*
Placed the TDC to 0* on timing cover.
Rotor pointing @ #1 plugwire.
And not sure how to place the distributor (vacuum canister) right so I don’t have to regret and redo it later when I try set timing after the power guide.

What's your trick / guide to install the distributor in right direction?


This is how I placed it now. Rotor pointing on #1 plug.

I noticed these pictures on Google, could this be a good start and end point example?:

 

Put cap on and mark the #1 position on dist body. Take cap off and line up the oil pump slot so it is close to the position of dist shaft and then slide the dist in the hole and engaged in the oil pump & seated all the way down. If the rotor is pointing to the mark you made on the body than you got it in right. It may take more than one try.

 

If you are positive its on TDC "ready to fire" then make sure the rotor is pointing to #1 for the cap terminal.
Just make sure you have enough swing room for your vac canister, because you will have to rotate the distributor a bit counterclockwise to get the engine to start:TU:
Adjust from there once the engine is running.
Looking at your pics, I've usually had the canister between pic #1 and pic #2

 

Yes its the swing room Im wondering about. Where you should have the canister pointed in the beginning. john.schaefer77 recommend me to move it counter clock wise a tooth and that he like to put it at the 12 mark on the cover and put the distributor in facing #1. This gives him room and gets a good starting point.

Which I will test but I was just curious if there were other methods out there.

I just dont know how much I will be turning the distributor while setting powerguide degrees. How much movements I should have in mind while installing it.

 

Rather than moving it a tooth or setting it to zero...set the engine 10-12 BTDC and put the distributor in with pole pcs. lined up to fire.
You are eliminating a possible huge hassle that way.
I do 15-30 new engines a year like that.

 

That's what I meant. Just set the balancer about 12 degrees and put distributor in pointing #1.

 

This is a question with two separate parts:

Where do you want the vacuum canister to point?
How to align the rotor on installation?

The canister should be more like pic #2 to keep the vacuum line away from the fan. Wire #1 goes on the cap just past (clockwise) the wiring (power) connector. The rotor turns clockwise.

As above, a mark on the dist base below the #1 terminal will help align the rotor. The rotor turns CW a bit when you drop it in and needs to point right at the mark when the distributor is fully inserted. Then you've got adjustment to tune.

Here's a thread with a good pic showing alignment and plug wire locations:
http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?113217-1976-455-HEI-Ignition-Problems

 

Shouldn't the rotor go clockwise when installing?

 

Put canister pointing towards Rad cap, this will give the most range and is where the factory set it, for this tho work properly you must set the distributor in advanced and as Matt said you will need to turn the pump shaft to get the proper orientation

 

Fixed. Thanks.

 

^^^ Winner. If you don't want 10--12 BTDC as your initial timing, just use whatever amount of advance you do want to be your initial.

With practice, a person can set the initial timing within a degree or two by static-timing the engine this way. Pointing the rotor in the general direction of #1 plug wire terminal is crude. Aligning the reluctor and pickup coil works fairly precisely.

 

Glen. Wasn't trying to be a smart-a@@ just that got me thinking and I was doubting myself

 

Absolutely no worries. I was picturing it going in and must have been picturing another engine. You were right to mention it.

 

I don't read every post closely
Nothing inferred by my response! :TU:

 

Looking at service book pictures, #1 terminal points to #2 cylinder.

Looking at MSD information video for installing distributor in Chevy, they say you should point the #1 terminal to #1 cylinder.
(I realize there are two completely different engines. And that its a free choice how to set it on both.)

I believe more in the service book pictures but once again curious how you set yours?

 

Your over thinking/anylizing:eek2:
Install the distributor so the rotor is pointing to the proper terminal and your vacuum canister is where you need it to be so the vacuum line isn't rubbing the upper rad hose, AND you have room to turn the distributor for adjustment.
That's the proper posistion:TU:

 

Im waiting for some missing parts I have ordered, so I have the time to learn more. :beers2:

 

Here u go somethin u might like. I use a starter button , the oil pump no matter how I seem to try to align it never goes in for me. And if it does then I'm usually not pointed at 1 when seated. Like Larry said Mark your dist housing for #1. The mark u just made will be pointing at one cylinder , the can will be 12oclock slightly toward the radcap. Balancer mark on zero . The key is feeling the gears mesh as you lower it down , u need to find the mesh (gear engagement) with the rotor pointing at housing Mark for # one, then slowly lift dist up till u can just turn the rotor but still feel the gears touching, and turn rotor back one tooth. Now lower dist down till the pump drive doesn't engage . Now you keep your finger tips on the edge of housing distrib so the rotor doesn't bore into ur Palm. With ur free hand now bump the start button. Bump it till it sucks down the dist flush. To double check , hold button till the timing Mark goes around ounce , then on second time around stop at the 0. Your rotor should be at the Mark u made . If not you get to do it all over until it does! The start button is easy to hook up. One wire clips to + on bat . The other you just find the purple wire in the harness some ware near the brake booster , I stab it with a sharp pick , a short one with a rubber handle , clip other button wire to metal of pick. And you now have a future hole to put pick next time u need it . I hope this was a long enough answer so ur parts arive by time ur done reading it.

 

Do I want to fire it up on 12* so I should tighten on it or should I back it to 0*?


12*
Rotor pointing at #1 terminal.

 

12* Before top dead, not after.
You could back it up aways and come up on that again.
Don't use the key bump or back-a-tooth method, way too hassely.