Index Homepage

Question: Chevy v-8 engines who knows how to index a distributor?

(Posted by: jmejme2000 on 2007-04-26 08:28:33)

Posted by: randall flag on 2007-04-26, 08:36:28

Just turn the motor till #1 comes up on the compression stroke. then install the distributor point the rotor any where you like . make sure your plug wires are installed to match. you may have to rotate the motor to let the distributor drop down on the oil pump shaft

Posted by: dadforfive on 2007-04-26, 08:47:36

Randel has it right, but just so you know, tradition says #1 is at 5 oclock, that is the way the premade wires sets are cut to allow for it. It does not HAVE to be that way, but it makes life easier. Oh, if you do not know how to find Compression stroke, set the timing marks at tdc and drop the dist in at #1. yoiu have a 50-50 chance, and if it will not run, pull it back out and turn it 180 degrees.

Posted by: Dedicated to the truth! on 2007-04-26, 09:01:45

#1 answer is wrong. Partially correct........rotate the engine till # 1 piston on the compression stroke is at the top of the piston run, Turn it no further. Check timing marks on pully hub and make sure hub is good, not turned. Look where no 1 plug wire is in the cap, and with the distributor rotor pointed in that general direction look at the pickup area and see where the pickup is located. It should be leaving the magnet to fire the coil. Turn the rotor backwards just a little and try dropping it onto the pump shaft. If it wont drop down easily, hold all positions and place a long straight screwdriver down the hole into the pump shaft. Turn the screw driver backwards (counter clock wise) 1/ 4 turn and retry the distributor. You need to be sure the vacuum advance has room to turn to it's 6 degree advance position. Turning only the oil pump shaft using the screw driver repeat until the distributor does ease down into place. No force is ever needed. If it won't drop easily, take the engine apart until you find what you did wrong. With everything connected and in position test the set up by turning the key on and rotation the distributor back and forth to establish it will fire the number 1 plug when engine is lined up with pully marks and pointer aligned. When you can get that to happen, you can secure the bolt enought to start the engine........it should start on the first turn if you followed my instructions. Of course depending on what ever else you did!