Distributor Rotor Setting Direction 60 Vette

[James S.]

I am about ready to light this beast up; new gas tank, lines, engine, tarns, all components restored.

#1 cylinder is at TDC and aligned with the harmonic balancer so all is good there. I have looked in the factory manuals, resto guides, etc., and can't find where the rotor should be pointing when the distributor is installed. I know I can point it anywhere and install the wires so timing is correct, but I want to be exactly like factory specs.

Any help is much appreciated.

Thx,

Jim

[Michael W.]

Re: Distributor Rotor Setting Direction 60 Vette

Is it at TDC on the compression stroke, or the exhaust stroke? #1 wire goes on the cap right after the adjustment window (clockwise) I believe.

[John F.]

Re: Distributor Rotor Setting Direction 60 Vette

Mike is correct! If it won't drop in the slot, pull the distributor back out and get a long handle screwdriver and turn the oil pump a little.

John

[James S.]

Re: Distributor Rotor Setting Direction 60 Vette

Thank you both very much!!!

Jim

[James O.]

Re: Distributor Rotor Setting Direction 60 Vette

What if you have the D-305 cap for 270 H.P. with no window. Where do you start the #1 wire so the oil tube and clips are oriented as they were originally at factory?

[John H.]

Re: Distributor Rotor Setting Direction 60 Vette

What if you have the D-305 cap for 270 H.P. with no window. Where do you start the #1 wire so the oil tube and clips are oriented as they were originally at factory?

Jim -

Does it show in the UPC 6 sheet in the Assembly Manual that shows the plug wire installation?

[Stuart F.]

Re: Distributor Rotor Setting Direction 60 Vette

If the distributor does not engage the oil pump in the position you want the distributor to be in, sure, you can pull it back out and use the screwdriver tecnique to rotate the pump - or you can do as us old pros do and that is walk it around;

After you have your distributor cap properly wired in the correct firing order with wire number one in the normal position, mark that position on the manifold with a piece of chalk (where you want your rotor to point), then do as follows:

1) With the cap and wires pulled forward and secured out of the way, lift the distributor up far enough so that you can rotate the rotor in a clockwise direction until you can capture the pump and the distributor will drop full down (no matter where that may be).

2) Apply pressure on the rotor in the clockwise direction, then lift the distributor up just slightly until it releases from the gear, then "walk it" to the next gear tooth. If you do it right, the distributor gear will clear the cam gear, yet hang on to the oil pump tang.

3) Continue "walking" the distributor one tooth at a time until you have reached the position where the rotor is aligned with the position you want for number one.

It takes a special touch, but even a novice can do it. I have been doing for over 54 years and can do it in my sleep. It makes quick work of it, and even if you fail to get it positioned the first time, it is so easy you can just go around again.

Stu Fox

[James O.]

Re: Distributor Rotor Setting Direction 60 Vette

good call john. the assembly manual shows the proper orientation of the cap with the clips perpendicular to the engine axis. then it shows #1 offset towards the passenger side on the front similar to the window type. i set it properly using trial and error method on the oil pump shaft but stuarts way sounds better for next time.