'60 Distributor Request

[David D.]

Anyone out there with a '60 can you please post or send me a couple pictures of your:

• Engine
• Carb
• Distibutor (especially with the vacuum can)

Or maybe direct me to your photo gallery, Please......

Thanks in Advance,
David

[Bob B.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

David,

If you want photos of something specific, let me know.

Bob

[David D.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

Bob,
Thanks...I could use a picture of your distributor in the car with no shielding. I am questioning the vacuum can on a friends '60 and I'm also real suspect of rotor/point adjust window/vaccum can location to where I've seen them on other motors....

When looking at it, the Vacuum is almost facing directly forward, where I seem to think its supposed to be more like 45 degrees toward passenger side.

I guess I could take some pics and ask also.....

Thanks again,
David

[Bob B.]

[David D.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

Bob,
Those help a great deal......Great recommendation/thought about the wires. I'll bet that is what happened with previous owner and why there are pen marks on each wire. He did replace the cap. I was trying to figure out if the distributor could some how be installed about 15degrees off?

Thanks
David

[Wayne P.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

If it runs correctly, the distributor would have to be off one tooth.

[David D.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

If it runs correctly, the distributor would have to be off one tooth.

It seems to run correctly, at least idling and rev'in whilst sitting, but we're just bringing her back to life after sitting ?? years.

We've taken her for a ride, but we also are experiencing over heat issue's with original radiator. (that's another story) She has holes in her bow.... That's been removed and is/will be getting repaired.

Sorry for the off topic. The suspicions took root when trying to adjust timiing. You have to swing the distributor CCW more than I've seen before. Like I said, the vacuum can is actually hitting the intake, it's that far off. Sitting where she's facing almost straight forward. I also believe the vacuum can is after market. This car appears to be numbers matching with a few 'minor' add ons/changes...

So should we be trying to move the wires, or re-setting the distributor? Any suggestion or recommendations on how to approach? And what procedure to foolow in order to take distributor back one tooth?

Thanks,
David

[Stuart F.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

David;

Just in general; I would check positions of the wires in the cap first using a Service Manual or other reference source. The window on the cap is your reference point. Once you are sure they are correct, and if you had to change them, you pretty well know you are a tooth off. Based on your pictures and description, you probably have to relocate them clockwise and would then have to rotate the gear clockwise one tooth. Remove the hold down clamp, and as you lift the distributor up, put clockwise pressure (advance) on the rotor and when you feel it is just free to move, drop it back down. If you have done it right, you should have only moved one tooth and, using pressure on the rotor, you have also moved the oil pump drive shaft which will allow the distributor to seat down in position on the manifold. If you've gone too far, you can continue "walking" the distributor around clockwise until you are back in position.

This is a "shade tree" mechanic method, but has worked well for me since 1955.

Also, as a side note, if the wires were in the correct positions, then you may have the drive gear installed on the distributor 180 degrees off. The dimple on the gear (if so equipped) is supposed to face the front with the rotor at #1 position. If you have a roll pin retaining the gear, it is easy to knock out with a drift in order to rotate the gear. Older distributors used a solid tappered pin that is usually peened over on the end. On these you usually have to grind off the peened material in order to drive them out. Then, it is best to replace the tappered pin with a roll pin.

Stu Fox

[Bob B.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

David,

First check to see that the plug wires are on correctly before removing the distributor. The first post on the distributor clockwise of the window is the #1 cylinder. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2, so that should be how the plug wires are arranged on the post. The cylinders from front to back on the driver side are 1-3-5-7 and 2-4-6-8 on the passenger side.

If all this is correct, then remove the distributor and turn the rotor back so that it points where the #1 cylinder is just clockwise of straight ahead. So that the distributor will drop back in, take a long flathead screwdriver and turn the slot in the oil pump to match the bottom of the distributor.

Bob

[John H.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

The photo below is a passenger car, not a Corvette (both were the same), but it shows the correct as-designed distributor orientation and wire indexing in the cap.

[David D.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

John,
Thanks....a picture is so simple.
David

[David C.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

If the engine has been rebuilt, it is possible that the rebuilder indexed the cam rather than set it at factory specs so that is will run on the pump gas of today.

[David D.]

Re: '60 Distributor Request

David,
Don't believe the engine has been rebuilt. I'm heading over to do somw more work on it this Friday. Hopefully I can remember to grab some pictures and get some comments on it.
Thanks,
David