can't get the old girl on correct timing

[Deleted User]

so I pulled and rebuilt the distributor on the 52 hornet, one of the shop mates decided to push the car back out of his way, so no big deal, I'll just get back to tdc using the fly wheel marks and restab the distributor, well not as easy as it sounds, I can't get the thing to do anything but backfire. i've got the rotor facing more or less number one, should the points be open or closed? any thoughts, sorry for the poor writing, I'm using my phone!

Unknown

Are you setting TDC with #6 cyl? I had a similar problem because I was using #1 cyl to set timing and was 180 degrees out. Someone here will explain it correctly. Have patience...

PAULARGETYPE

If you had the distributor out it's real easy to get it 1 tooth out going back in most times this is the problem

SuperDave

I agree with Geoff., if you found top dead center and the timing mark is in the range of the hole above the starter, I'll bet a cuppa coffee and a jelly donut you set it up on #6. I've done it more than once! Just rotate the distributor 1/2 turn.

Good luck, Dave

[Deleted User]

I must be missing something, but doesn't the distributor only go in one way?

SuperDave

rdmontez wrote:

I must be missing something, but doesn't the distributor only go in one way?

You are absolutely right, my response was incorrect. or at best not descriptive enough... The crank shaft turns twice for each distributor rotation, so i should have said rotate the crank one more time then reset the distributor to number one..:)

Unknown

Do what Groff said and disreguard all the others

[Deleted User]

I tried that, and could only get the rotor to point just under number one

Geoff

Go back to square one! Take the plugs out so you can turn the engine over by the fan belt, or a spanner on the front pulley nut, whichever. Place your finger over No. 1 spark plug hole, and get someone to to turn the engine over until you feel air being pushed out of the plug hole. Bring the flywheel pointer to T.D.C.1-6, and install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing to No. 1 terminal, and the points are just opening. This will be enough for you to fire the engine up and then re-set with a timing light. The distributor has an offset slot, so will only go in one way, so once it is timed correctly you can take it in and out without losing the timing.

Jon B

"Number one cylinder", for the benefit of newbies, being the one closest to the radiator. Right?

[Deleted User]

if number one is anything but, then I would really be confused!

Unknown

Get to top dead center, use a light to look into the distributor hole, you should see the top of the shaft on the oil pump that the distributor intersects with. That shaft has a slot in the center with a little better than half of the circle to the bottom. The bottom of the distributor has the same shape, make sure they align when the distributor points to number one. If not, you may not have top dead center. If they do, you will be in great shape when you put the distributor in. If the distributor wobbles, you have the short side of the half moon where the long one should be.

[Deleted User]

Check the distributor gear(on oil pump) also consider your camshaft internal gear.

[Deleted User]

that's what I'm starting to think, I've got the valve over number on closing and timing marks in the window, rotor pointing just below number one, but there doesn't seem to be enough adjustment to make the points open at the right time. it's in the middle of the lobes. she's backfiring like a kitten!

Geoff

With no. 1 valve closing, it is firing on no. 6. You are at the wrong end!

Unknown

You do have the firing order for the correct rotation direction wired, I think it is clockwise?

[Deleted User]

ok geoff im gonna spin her back around 180 and see

what happens!

[Deleted User]

well... mystery solved. oil pump gear was inslalled 180 out... not by me... I'll never doubt myself again!!!



thanks all of you guys!

[Deleted User]

rdmontez wrote:

if number one is anything but, then I would really be confused!

Ron sent you a PM

SuperDave

To try and simplify this matter... If you remove the distributor from a stepdown six and spin the crank shaft but DO NOT remove the oil pump, you can only reinstall the distributor correctly or 180 degress out. If you find that it's 180 out, rotate the crank one more turn, reinstall the distributor and by majic, it's back in time. No need to reposition the oil pump gear.

Jon B

All this is very interesting reading to owners of "prehistoric" (pre-StepDown) Hudsons. Our knowledge of these "space age" Hudsons is faulty at best, and by carefully following these threads, we can perhaps learn how to help owners of newer Hudsons in their time of need.



You speak of StepDwon distributors being able to be installed in only one of two positions but for us "old timers", the darned things have spiral gears, and can be replaced in an infinite number of positions!

schillaz

i need some help.

Im trying to fire a 49 262 motor for the first time since a new cam shaft was installed. So with that being said, u guessed it, i think i have a timing problem.

All i can get it to do is backfire and pop white smoke/fire out of the carb.

Here is what i have:
-In the timing window above the starter i have the timing marks on the fly
-the rotor is pointed to number one
-cylinder #1 has both valves seated

I was guessing i was 180 degrees out, I pulled the dist spun the fly once, reinstalled the dist now its pointing to cylinder #6. Still did the same thing so i put it back.

Next thing im thinking is when i installed the oil pump im off a spline on the cam gear. I was gonna try to pull the oil pump and move it back one spline so i will be just starting to hit on cyl #1? ** wouldnt it still run if i was off a spline, just run like crap?

what are your guys suggestions?

Geoff

You have to go back to basics. Take out plug No. 1 and put your finger in the hole. Wind the engine over until you feel the air being pushed out. Check not just that the rotor is pointing to lead No. 1, but that the points are just opening. You need to hold the rotor anti-clockwise to take any backlash out, and check that the cam is just on the point of opening the contacts. You can't turn the distributor 180 deg, the peg is offset. It doesn't matter what position the oil pump gear is in, so long as you have the rotor pointing at the right terminal. Far easier to just reposition the plug wires than remove the oil pump.

Uncle Josh

Don't get hung up about where the rotor is pointing. As long as #1, and all the rest, are getting 'fire' when they're supposed to, they can't see where the rotor is and don't care. My Hornet points at 7 o'clock on #1 by the way.

1,5,3,6,2,4 Clockwise.

schillaz

ok thanks guys, i see what you guys are saying, i will give it a try tonight.


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posted later
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You guys were spot on. I just rewired my distributor to where # one was on full compression, The thing fired up nicely.

Thanks for helping a computer guy work on an engine..haha