How do you install a distributor?

[craigvk]

Can someone tell me how to install a V8 253 distributor? My searches have proved useless. The motor hasn't got one installed.

[253@7k]

Electronic or points?

[craigvk]

Electronic. Everywhere tells you how to remove then install a new one but I don't see how the thing mounts in. AFAIK I need to make cylinder one something and then rotate it.

[253@7k]

Timing Ok. here we go:


1: Remove #1 sparkplug (to find top dead center)

2: Put small schrunched piece of paper in hole, still able to pull out while blocking the hole completly.

3: Crank engine by hand until you get compression on #1 cylinder (paper will pop out)

4: Turn a little bit more until harmonic balancer lines up (see first pic *white lines line up on mine*)

5: Put distributor in so as the rotor is inline with #1 on the cap (#1 will fire when #1 cylinder is at TDC)

6: Clamp dizzy down and put spark plug back and leads on.

7: Connect coil. (im not sure which wires go where on your dizzy)

Hope thats what you wanted

[craigvk]

Thanks. Another question. How does the distributor bolt in when you put it in the hole? It doesn't just push in and left there right?

[253@7k]

There is a little hook thing that is bolted in to keep it there. (see pic)

[craigvk]

Thanks mate. I'll follow your guide. Where the white lines are on the pulley, do I need to worry about that? The pic doesn't show them lined up. Thanks again.

[253@7k]

Those white lines denote ignition timing andvance and retard. Because mne is a bit before the other line mine is a bit retarded. (to save fuel, advancing it when I get a timing light)

Yes you should worry about that because if you get the #1 cylinder on the exhaust stroke then your timing will be 180 degrees out. (ive done that before)
Does not hurt it but will not run.

[craigvk]

Thanks. What sort of carb is that you have? I don't think I have seen it before and it looks smallish.

[253@7k]

Its just a rochester 2 barrel and it will be going soon in favour of a 600 holley with a redline manifold. (when I have money)

[atrail308]

rochester didnt make 2 barrel carbies except for the 4 and 6 cyl varijet, the carby in the pictures is a WW 2 barrel stromberg carby...

[253@7k]

See, thats how much I like it, I dont even know what make it is. Its gotta go.

Hey atrail308 (or anyone else), what manifold should I go with? (for 600 holley) Im a bit torn between a Redline and an Edelbrock.

[Cane_It]

you need the piston in cyl #1 to be at top dead centre and both intake and exhaust valves shut, mark on the dizzy case where the contactor on the cap lines up, turn the dizzy in the hole until the rotor points to this mark, this means that the ignition circuit is complete and cyl 1 will fire when the piston is at TDC. if nothing happens when you try to fire it up then your 180' out, simply rotate the cap 180' or remove the dizzy and put it back in so that the rotor points 180' from your original mark on the housing, then put the cap bac on. the large caps only go on one way. be careful abou relying solely on harmonic balancer timig marks, they can slip and give false timing readings. u should check TDC with a screwdriver in cyl #1 being careful not to poke it into the bore...

[SL/ENUT]

Hey atrail308 (or anyone else), what manifold should I go with? (for 600 holley) Im a bit torn between a Redline and an Edelbrock.

A factory 4 barrel manifold do the job nicely. But if you can't get one, Edelbrock is the ticket

[253@7k]

A factory 4 barrel manifold do the job nicely. But if you can't get one, Edelbrock is the ticket

Cheers for the reply and I think your right mate, after doing a bit of searching I've found that the redlines are not very well made. With that in mind I think I will go with the Edelbrock as I will be running a single turbo on the engine late on. (thats my plan atm but I may swing towards a supercharger, I'm still not too sure)

Cheers, Steve

[atrail308]

agreed, go the edelbrock manifold...

[craigvk]

I was speaking to my cousin tonight and he suggested also to plug a spark plug in the outlet lead connected to the coil, and with the ignition on, rotate the dizzy a bit until you see a spark and then it should be damn close to where it should be. Thanks for the above help. I look forward to trying it out soon.

[craigvk]

Timing Ok. here we go:


1: Remove #1 sparkplug (to find top dead center)

2: Put small schrunched piece of paper in hole, still able to pull out while blocking the hole completly.

3: Crank engine by hand until you get compression on #1 cylinder (paper will pop out)

4: Turn a little bit more until harmonic balancer lines up (see first pic *white lines line up on mine*)

5: Put distributor in so as the rotor is inline with #1 on the cap (#1 will fire when #1 cylinder is at TDC)

6: Clamp dizzy down and put spark plug back and leads on.

7: Connect coil. (im not sure which wires go where on your dizzy)

Hope thats what you wanted

Thanks a lot. It helped a lot. I tried the paper popping thing and it really did go bang like a balloon popping.

[253@7k]

Thanks a lot. It helped a lot. I tried the paper popping thing and it really did go bang like a balloon popping.

Means youve got good compression then.

[craigvk]

Means youve got good compression then.

Awesome.