GearGambler Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 The new distributor showed up yesterday and I took some time to install it. I thought it would be nice to do a quick write up! Here is the removal: I took the time to chalk the marking on the balancer so I could see them better. I used the 15/16 socket, short extension and rachet to turn the motor over until the timing pointer was at 0* / TDC. I made sure that the distributor rotor was at the #1 cylinder, and noted the orientation of the distributor harness. Then I pulled coil wire off the cap and unlatched the cap. I removed the distributor hold down, unplugged the harness and removed the harness from the bracket it was mounted to. Then I held the cap (with all the wires still attached) out of the way and pulled the distributor out. Installation: Still holding the cap and wires out of the way, I installed the new distributor so that the orientation of the distributor harness was the same. I also made sure that the rotor was pointed to the #1 plug wire (rotor turns clockwise as the distributor gear and cam gear align). I installed the hold down and plugged in the harness. I then put the old cap on the new distributor, and installed the coil wire. I jumped in the car and it started right up! I shut it off. Next I transferred the wires from the old cap to the new cap, one by one, and latched the new cap and wires to the new distributor. I pulled the spout connector out of the harness on the passenger side fender. I set up the timing light and started it up. It was running really rough! While setting the timing, I realized it was way off. The distributor wiring harness was not in the same position as the stock one once I found 10* BTDC. At this point I realized I was 1 tooth off on the distributor. It ran just fine, but it had to come out for me to be able to sleep at night. I shut the car down, set the balancer at 0*, pulled the cap, pulled the distributor hold down, unplugged the harness and slowly lifted the distributor up with one hand on the rotor. I kept pressure on the rotor (to the left) until it was free of the cam gear, then I moved it one tooth over and pushed it back down again. It never even came fully out of the engine. I plugged it back in, installed the cap and hold down and started it up. Perfect! I set the timing at 10* and it was all set. Also updated on my blog: http://geargambler.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackmage Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 i always secretly hating messing with dizzy's lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GearGambler Posted June 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 24, 2015 i always secretly hating messing with dizzy's lol Agreed! I've had some horror stories myself. This episode went pretty smooth, except for the part of being 1 tooth off and having to adjust that. I once pulled a stock distributor where the oil pump drive shaft was practically welded to the distributor. It left that drive shaft retaining washer somewhere in the engine - that was many a mustang ago! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
