Rotate the distributor housing so the cap terminal and rotor match and give you the alignment you want. Same process as setting the timing (because that is what you are doing). This is a normal finite adjustment when putting a distributor back in. Make sure the distributor is fully seated in the block prior.

 

Garden variety inline 6. Pic shows the orientation of the distributor and it kind of makes sense, not only with the plug wires but where the vacuum advance tube would have to fit to make it work. Remember, when you have it at TDC and you want to install the distributor, slipping it into the hole and its gear onto the drive gear on the cam, the shaft will rotate slightly, maybe 20 degrees, I think counterclockwise. If the bottom of the dizzy shaft doesn't fit into the slot in the hole, get a long screwdriver and turn the slot until it will drop in.

 

The engine is only on the compression stroke every other revolution at TDC so you must feel for a compression "puff" from #1 spark plug hole when bumping around to TDC. You must not only be on TDC but also TDC on the compression stroke. Then install the distributor with the rotor winding up at the #1 plug wire terminal, which you can move to look like Ally's picture if yours is different.

 

Thanks for the reminder - I've made that mistake before - but I've confirmed that the #1 cylinder is definitely at TDC on the compression stroke. The #1 cylinder plug wire on the distributor cap is lined up right above the ground-screw(?) on the right. So at this point - TDC - the rotor has passed the point where it can deliver a spark to the #1plug. Does this mean I need to take the distributor out and reinstall it about 25 degrees counterclockwise from where it is now? I had a buddy who was invlolved in this project and I think he may have advanced the timing quite a bit - that would actually make this distributor position even worse wouldn't it? The engine barely starts and runs at this point.
(Notice Pertronix electronic ignition if that makes any difference)
Thanks for the help/advice!
Mikie

 

Yeah, your vacuum advance should be pointing more straight front. Pull the distributor up and rotate the rotor counter clockwise a couple of teeth on the gear and drop it back in. Then you'll need to rotate the housing CCW as well to set the timing. Should wind up looking like Ally's pic.

 

Could I run into any trouble then having enough room to adjust timing with the vac advance hitting the block? Just wondering if I could accomplish pretty much the same thing by shifting all of the plug wires one position CW? (probably creating some other problem I am not seeing?!?)
Many thanks for the help.

 

Two or three teeth shouldn't get you into trouble with the block. That would be the correct way to do it.

 

You could run into trouble if you rotate the body too far counterclockwise. But if you are at TDC compression stroke, just barely set the distributor in the hole at approximately the position in my photo. Number one position on the distributor cap should be closest to number one plug. At that point, when you begin to drop the body and shaft into place, see that the rotor points to the firing position for number one cylinder. If the shaft doesn't go all the way down because of the slot in the oil pump shaft, then use your screwdriver.

I'd have the body turned more counterclockwise so that the advance is pointing more to the front like the picture.

 

-

 

Frank ................ is that your convert motor .................. very nice motor .

jim

 

I love Six inna Row.

 

bye

 

Jim, not my convert motor, but I think mine's as nice now that it's replaced. Funny picture, but as many years as I suspect you have had your Nova, no doubt you can do distributor work by feel by now. Still easier than a slant 6!

 

. . . Still easier than a slant 6! . . .

I remember those ; I had several of the slant - 6 cars , way back then . I even have a good "slant 6
story" . . . . maybe later , lol . . . . jim

 

Thanks to everyone for the information/advice! Now all I need to do is DO IT! That will take awhile as an early Fall has pushed me into a bunch of home projects that I have been putting off. I'll post the outcome - or more questions - in a few weeks when I get off the extension ladder!
Thanks again
Mikie

 

You are Welcome . . . . . "How do You spell STEVES NOVA SITE ............................................ "


NPHNP

 

--

 

Hey guys, here's something I found on my PC that lays out the distributor install.

 

Yo . . . . NovetteWagon . . . . . = don't work for me (won't open )

just FYI .

jim

 

From a '62 assembly manual... #1 should be just counter-clockwise of a parallel line with the engine.