1971 Lt-1 Distributor Positioning

[Mark A.]

Hi Guys,
Should The Vac On My Distributor Be In Front Of, Or Behind The Right Plug Wire Post. The Shop Manual Has A Picture Clearly Showing The Vac Pointing Towards The #4 Plug, But I Have Seen Pictures Of Unrestored Lt-1's With It Positioned Behind The Post. Which Is It? Mark

[Pete B.]

Re: 1971 Lt-1 Distributor Positioning

We just installed the distributor in my 71 350 base engine...we had the same discussion. In my case and I'm sure it is same as yours, you need to have vac advance to the rear of the wire post. This provides the proper orientation for your tach drive to line up to the fire wall hole. Its tight there, and in my case real close to the trans dipstick but it is only way that would not put a bind on the cable.

[Michael D.]

Re: 1971 Lt-1 Distributor Positioning

Match the stake mark on the distributor to the stake mark on the intake manifold.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 Lt-1 Distributor Positioning

Sometimes the timing chains get some slack and the index marks maynot line-up when setting base timing.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Lt-1 Distributor Positioning

Hi Guys,
Should The Vac On My Distributor Be In Front Of, Or Behind The Right Plug Wire Post. The Shop Manual Has A Picture Clearly Showing The Vac Pointing Towards The #4 Plug, But I Have Seen Pictures Of Unrestored Lt-1's With It Positioned Behind The Post. Which Is It? Mark

There is a item that was published twice in The Restorer taken from Chevrolet Service News showing the difference between the 1967 and 1968 distributor orientation. It was published once when John Amgwert was editor -- sometime between 1985 and 1990 as best I recall, and then again when I was editor -- 1999 to 2005. I republished it because I got tired of seeing restored C3s that were worked on by people more familiar with C2s and as a result had the wrong distributor orientation.

I have suggested to the 1968-69 judging manual revision team that we print it there. We will see how effective that request is.

BTW: If the C3 distributor is oriented as it was in the C2s you will learn how to replace the tachometer cable, and that is a job you might want to forgo. Or you could buy the right angle tach drive adaptor that is sold by vendors. That is a "two wrongs make a right" solution.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 Lt-1 Distributor Positioning

Terry, I dont think the 70-72 JM has any remarks on the dist. orientation either.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Lt-1 Distributor Positioning

Terry, I dont thing the 70-72 JM has any remarks on the dist. orientation either.

You are right, but the revision of that manual is somewhat in the future.