180 deg off?

Lenoxx

Lenoxx

Well-Known Member
Site Donor
Messages
131
Reaction score
62
Location
Phoenix
Is my distributor rotated 180 degrees from where it should be?
The engine runs, but for a minor misfire which I'm sorting out today. Pictures of the similar engines show the vacuum advance on top, but I can't simply switch the position of the condenser and vacuum.
It shouldn't run at +180 deg. But, "You've got to hand it to the Germans — they make great cars." So I figured I'd ask before I rotate it before I burn a hole in a piston or something.
00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200212125215138_COVER~2.jpg
 
That is the correct orientation. Turn the dizzy a bit to see if it gets better, it wouldn’t run at 180 off but you might have two wires switched, but even that would make for a very rough idle.

See what I mean about that museum engine!
 
Vacuum can up or down is really an esthetic issue.
If you insist on having it upside down, you will need to pull the distributor out far enough to disengage the gear and rotor and re-clock it the same 180* that you move the distributor.
Keep in mind Chris’s advice- once the vacuum can is up it tends to be in the way.
 
HB Chris said:
That is the correct orientation. Turn the dizzy a bit to see if it gets better, it wouldn’t run at 180 off but you might have two wires switched, but even that would make for a very rough idle.

See what I mean about that museum engine!
Click to expand...
Yeah, the museum engine has the vacuum advance at 12 o' clock.
 
and you can confirm it's on by putting the engine at TDC with the timing mark on the lower chain cover lining up with the mark in the harmonic pully, along with the 0 ball in the timing window. The rotor should point close to the notch in the distributor and #1 cylinder plug.
 
Yup, just finished doing that. All is well with the distributor. Thanks for the input(s).

What is the correct timing?
Sorry I don't have a technical manual, nor have I searched the forum or the Google.
I gave away my timing light before I bought the coupe, so I had to set the timing by ear. But I'm headed to harbor freight to get another.

And I just discovered that the miss is probably due to a worn cam lobe and also one carb is dumping fuel down the venturi. But I wanted to set the timing anyway so thanks again.
 
and the timing ball should have a Z next to it. I painted the O/T ball and balancer mark red and the Z ball white
 
I put a timing tab on the front of my engine and put a mark on the balancer at 36° BTDC. It's a lot easier to see than a bb flying by in that little hole while you're trying to guess what 1700 rpm is...
ViIGiXQ.png
 
Lenoxx said:
Yup, just finished doing that. All is well with the distributor. Thanks for the input(s).

What is the correct timing?
Sorry I don't have a technical manual, nor have I searched the forum or the Google.
I gave away my timing light before I bought the coupe, so I had to set the timing by ear. But I'm headed to harbor freight to get another.

And I just discovered that the miss is probably due to a worn cam lobe and also one carb is dumping fuel down the venturi. But I wanted to set the timing anyway so thanks again.
Click to expand...

If you have a carb dumping fuel into the venturi, either your floats are set too high or the needle/seat is not seating properly.
 
Ohmess said:
If you have a carb dumping fuel into the venturi, either your floats are set too high or the needle/seat is not seating properly.
Click to expand...
It was both. Adjusted the floats, mixture and chokes now it runs fairly smooth. The valves are still a bit noisy but I'm going to pull the engine soon and rebuild it. The car sat for 20 years so I can't expect it to run perfect, but the distributor orientation threw me off a bit.
 
Mike Goble said:
I put a timing tab on the front of my engine and put a mark on the balancer at 36° BTDC. It's a lot easier to see than a bb flying by in that little hole while you're trying to guess what 1700 rpm is...
ViIGiXQ.png
Click to expand...
Good idea. I was wondering how to check the timing without getting clipped by the fan.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top