Changing Distributors

[judge09]

1053803

I am going to swap out my factory distributor for a new MSD one with an external coil and all that jazz. I have never swapped a distributor before. Any hints out there? Is there anything I can do to attempt to keep my timing close to what it is now. If not what do you guys/gals do to set your timing from scratch. Thanks alot[addsig]

 

[joeycj5]

1053805

-You need to find Top Dead Center of #1 piston.
-Unplug distr. to coil wire (so engine wont start)
-Remove #1 spark plug, turn engine over until this piston is at TOP of Cyl. (Insert wooden dowel or pencil, careful not to break or drop anything in there!!) You may place finger over spark plug hole until you feel full compression.
-After doing this, look at the timing mark. You should be near or at "0". If you are no where close to "0" you must make engine do another turn. Now check for "0" and TDC of piston.
-This is TDC. unhook distributor cap, rotor will be pointing at #1 wire.
-DONT TURN MOTOR ANYMORE< remove key.
-now remove original distributor, and install your new MSD with the Rotor pointing to the same spot as original.
-If distributor does not drop in easily, you may need to turn oil pump shaft manually to match up with position of distrb.
-once in place, swap over Plug wires exactly, and then leads to distributor. Depending on your original set-up. You will be able to remove a LOT of unneccesary wires and harnesses. ;-)

edited by: joeycj5, Feb 05, 2003 - 01:26 PM[addsig]

 

[judge09]

1053825

Thanks alot Joey...my parts should come in next week then off to work.[addsig]

 

[joeycj5]

1053829

Hey Judge, are you going to be using an ignition box(MSD 6a or MSD OFF ROAD) with this, or just a distrib.?[addsig]

 

[cjshag]

1054181

I followed the timing technique on mine. The distributor was in the correct location so it did not solve my particular problem. JoeyCJ5 how does the MSD combo perform? My distributor is the only item I did not upgrade during my engine rebuild. It could be my weak link.[addsig]

 

[joeycj5]

1054182

The main reason why I upgraded mine was to make the ignition/distributor more waterproof. The stock set-upin a AMC 360, with prestolite ignition, sucks as far as waterproofing. But if you use the MSD ignition box and disrtibutor, they work great They plug right in to each other. Eliminating alot of wires and harnesses. I actually converted an MSD-GM HEI distrib. with coil in cap. So now all I have is power lead to igniton box and harness to distrib. two wires and COMPLETELY waterproof.[addsig]

 

[joeycj5]

1054183

By the way cjshag, what is your particular problem? :-? [addsig]

 

[cjshag]

1054202

My problem: Remember the "HOT Headers/ lean condition?" discussions? I tried everything to get the Jeep to run. Finally I took it to a performance shop. I hated to take my baby to someone else , but I had reached my limit! They have been tweaking the carb. and adjusting timing. Mechanic says it's not turning hot after 20 minutes of run time! Timing was a problem he said. It is set at 15 degrees BTDC now. He wants to checkl it out for a couple of days. I would like to upgrade my dist./ignition set up.[addsig]

 

[joeycj5]

1054212

Hey, cjshag, Your runnin a AMC v-8, right. You say your timing is at '15' Deg.? My AMC 360 is at '8' Degrees. It doesnt like anything else. I went back and read all the post on your "RED HOT Headers" WOW, you should have wrote a book. Is it fixed yet? :-O [addsig]

 

[cjshag]

1054255

Yeah it's a book! The timing is just what the mechanic said was making it work without turning the headers glow orange. I have worked on my Jeeps all my life. Never have I had such a frustrating problem. It makes me want to start over with the engine and go all stock! I can't believe I'm saying that. But I'm out of cash for another motor. I thought my set up was a common, streetable performance combo.(Performer carb. and manifold,260H cam) I was wrong. Are you running a stock cam or performance cam? [addsig]

 

[joeycj5]

1054316

I run an edelbrock AMC R.V. cam and intake. When you say timing problem, is it Cam timing or ignition?[addsig]