i know i dont say much but here goes another question or two i need to find tdc on my car i was wandering if i have it on the zero mark at the compression stroke will that be tdc or do i need to feel it in the number 1 piston i put a new msd box coil and distributor over the winter figured id wait to do the timing. but when i start it it idles but cant give it any gas wants to backfire .played with the distributor but no go.also i was watching a show and they where making there own wires he striped it then bent the wire over the crimped it is this the way its done im just not sure . thanks for any advise. brian
I would say you must have the distributor in correctly (not 180 degrees off) if it starts and idles. From there I would try advancing it a little at a time. I do not know how much you know about this so I will explain as if you know almost nothing! To advance it you rotate the distributor counter clockwise (as viewed from the top). If it seems to idle better each time you advance it, keep trying to see if the backfire is still there. When it idles, is it smooth? If not, have you double checked that you have all the plug wires on in correct order on the cap?
I don't think you need to find TDC because I think you have it in right, just need to adjust it for the right advance. Making sense?
That sounds like the correct way to put wire ends on. Strip the insulation, fold it back, install the terminal and crimp.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Ok, if the vacuum advance is hitting then you need to take it out and reinstall it farther back so you can adjust it more. I do it the weird way (so they tell me!) Hope I can explain it right...
1) Remove distributor
2) Take a long flat screwdriver and put it down the distributor hole, turn the oil pump shaft about 1/8th of a turn clockwise.
3) Drop the distributor back in remembering that it will now be moved back about one complete cylinder ( for example, if the rotor was at terminal #1 on the cap before, it will now be at #8 on the cap)
4) Most likely now you will have to pull it back a bit towards #1 (or wherever you were at) to get it right but at least you will have more adjustment for advance.
Clear as mud?
-- Edited by Carl Stevenson on Monday 5th of April 2010 12:27:50 AM
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
thanks thats what i thougth too just not sure of wich way to turn the oil pump ill try it in the morning thanks carl you would not believe how much im grateful to all those that have gone before me and are know helping us out thanks again il let you know how it goes.brian
-- Edited by loud on Monday 5th of April 2010 12:27:25 AM
if the oil pump shaft is causing concern, you could just lift the distributor enough so it disengages from the camshaft, turn it one tooth clockwise and reinstall. The distributor may not go down all the way because of the oil pump shaft, but turn the engine over a bit by hand (1/4 turn should do it) and the distributor will drop down to mate with the oil pump shaft.
if the oil pump shaft is causing concern, you could just lift the distributor enough so it disengages from the camshaft, turn it one tooth clockwise and reinstall. The distributor may not go down all the way because of the oil pump shaft, but turn the engine over a bit by hand (1/4 turn should do it) and the distributor will drop down to mate with the oil pump shaft.
That's the same way I do it... it's nice to have someone hold the distributor down gently when you bump it over so it doesn't jump up (which you might be able to do by yourself by using the hold down and a longer bolt -hope that makes sense).
Do you have a timing light? Would be good to check the timing if you have it running...
