69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

[Jamie F.]

Should the vacuum advance can be in front of the the right side shielding bracket, or behind it? It seems like it should be in front but that makes the tach cable outlet point straight back instead of towards the grommet where it passes through the firewall.
I know there was a change on C3 from C2's, and I know that there was a change during the C3 run. Right now my vacuum advance is pointing directly at the right fender or 3 o'clock, and the tach cable is pointing at 7 o'clock. It all seems fine except the vacuum advance tube line from the carb, looks like it would like the vacuum advance pointing towards the right front corner at about 1:30 o'clock...
If I line it up that way then the tach cable points to 6 o'clock and seems like it has to make a 90 degree bend which can't be good for it.
Looking at the AIM it looks like the number one spark plug wire should be plugged into the distributor cap in the tower that is above the window, which it is.
Which position is correct??? I've had the distributor out 6 times already trying to find the ideal spot.
It is the orginal distributor with it's tag, and the dimple on the gear is lined up with the rotor as it should be...
I just don't know which position is correct and will make all the components happy?

[William C.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

According to the AIM, the #2 sparkplug wire tower shoud be pointing directly toward the front of the car. That puts the inlet to the vacuum advance at a very slight angle a frorn the Firewall toward the front of the car. If you follow the prescribed wire locations and get #2 pointing to the front you should be spot on, wherever it falls.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

Jamie -- the change in distributor alignment is from C2 to C3 and there is no change during C3, You have to watch the AIM in that what it usually shows is for Small Blocks. I would keep the tach cable straight. That is what matters most as that is the biggest PITA to change.

If you have the original intake and distributor a trick with small blocks, but I am not sure if it works with BB. Look for a chisel mark connecting both the intake and distributor -- usually at the back of the distributor. You will need a good light and a mirror -- and no distributor cover on there. Align the chisel mark and you have the factory setting. Obviously this will not work if either the distributor or intake have been changed. Let us know if that works on those big boat anchors too.

[Jamie F.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

Bill & Terry, Thank you. Very helpful information.
I'll make sure #2 is pointing forward, (I think it is now) and look for those chisel marks.
I guess the angle on the vacuum feed tube is not really correct, or for C2's, because it points to the area in front of the shield brackets?

[Duke W.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

If you can't achieve proper distributor housing alignment the distributor gear may be installed 180 degrees out. This is a common problem on SBs. The dimple on the side of the gear should point in the same direction as the rotor tip on SBs and I believe this also applies to BBs.

Duke

[Jay G.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

Chevy released modified installation instructions to eliminate the sharp bend in the tach cable sometime during late 67 or early 68. I have attached a link to a paper by a fellow that is known for his tuning ability on points style distributors and contains more information than you were asking for but is great information to have.

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_info/ignition%20system/Distributor%20Installation.pdf

Regards,
Jay

[Jamie F.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

Jay,
Great article! Perfect, exactly what I was looking for!
Thanks!

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

Lars is quite good, but the picture of 327 timing position on the second page "(Courtesy “paul67” from CorvetteForum.com)" is actually from Chevrolet Service News, and has been re-printed twice in The Corvette Restorer with an accurate citation. Since it is a small block reference I didn't cite it in my response above.

Maybe it is the Editor in me, but I dislike inaccurate credits – even if the information contained therein is correct.

[Jamie F.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

The "Alternate, or updated" spark plug wire to cap position is what the 1969 AIM shows for L36-L68-L71 option wire position. #1 wire being right above the window.
It also shows it again in the radio section for proper wire orientation for the shielding. It just wasn't clear about the orientation of the distributor body. But thanks to all of you, I'm now very clear on this.
I'm happy to know I don't have to pull it out for a 7th time too!

[Bill C.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

Jamie -- the change in distributor alignment is from C2 to C3 and there is no change during C3, You have to watch the AIM in that what it usually shows is for Small Blocks. I would keep the tach cable straight. That is what matters most as that is the biggest PITA to change.

If you have the original intake and distributor a trick with small blocks, but I am not sure if it works with BB. Look for a chisel mark connecting both the intake and distributor -- usually at the back of the distributor. You will need a good light and a mirror -- and no distributor cover on there. Align the chisel mark and you have the factory setting. Obviously this will not work if either the distributor or intake have been changed. Let us know if that works on those big boat anchors too.

Terry,
FYI, the chisel marks are the same on the boat anchors ( BB's )

Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 427 Distributor Position / Angle???

Thanks Bill. I am pleased to hear that. Now I will try to remember it.