New MSD drop in ready to run distributor Part 2

[72bumbee]

Mine is 7/8
Took off the fan blade, now at auto China getting all new plugs.
Also, can’t seem to get the number one plug out. Almost like the socket isn’t deep enough. I kinda remember doing this before and not having such a problem.... getting older and weaker perhaps?
The crank seems to turn just fine without taking off belts. I found Poppa’s diesel mechanic tool box... lots of breaker bars in there!!

[72bumbee]

Finally got the damn thing to drop and got it secured in place. Now trying to get to TDC and that’s proving more difficult. I can’t get a good deal with my finger and to turn crank. Got the old man out there and I think we went past the end of blowing on number one. He claims there is a gauge I can put in there to register compression... is there?
Better yet, is there another way of doing this when I don’t have the stretch to do it with my finger? Maybe drop a dowel down the spark plug hole?? When it stops at the top then set TDC?

[sargentrs]

"AutoChina". Lol. I like that! A compression gauge is a handy thing to have around https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/act ... lsrc=aw.ds. Try screwing a spark plug in loosely. You should be able to hear air squeezing out when you get close to TDC. When you hear it start "whooshing" stop and check the timing mark on your damper. You should be close enough to turn the crank to 0* TDC by hand.

[72bumbee]

Well I ended up getting a long screwdriver and setting gently inside the spark plug hole.... when it topped out, I marked on the shaft, with a sharpie. Then went all the way around again until I saw my lines coming around, I watched for my sharpie mark to come up and hit it pretty much right on TDC.
Then the rotor was pointing almost straight back at the carburetor so I screwed the cap on and wired it up to the coil.
Now when I put the new HEI wires on, can I safely assume that’s the #1 plug will be hooked up to the post on the cap that is directly over the rotor at that point?
Also, could I just trade the wires over as I go counter clockwise around the new cap? Was wanting to get the wire lengths to correspond to the old wires. I’ll change out the plugs also for good measure. And a new alternator. If I can get the double pulleys off the old one.... any secrets to that?

[sargentrs]

You HAVE to be on the compession stroke at TDC for the rotor to be pointing to the #1 cylinder.. TDC on #1 occurs twice in the engine cycle. Once on the compression stroke and again on the exhaust stroke. If you try to start it and it sputters and backfires you are on the exhaust stroke and 180* out. The rest you were saying will be fine. Never removed an alternator pulley before so can't help there.

[72bumbee]

I haven’t gotten to try to start it yet, but assuming I have it 180* off, what would be my next action to correct it?
I have to work tomorrow, so suspending until next weekend when I plan to install new plugs and HEI wires.
I have the battery on a trickle charge on the workbench for now also.
Thanks again for all the solid advice!!

[sargentrs]

Honestly, you should just make sure it's on the compression stroke to start with and save yourself the hassle. If you can't get your finger over the #1 spark plug hole to feel for the pressure, place a cotton ball lightly in the hole. Turn the crank by hand so you don't suck it into the hole on the intake stroke. When the piston is on the compression stroke and comes back up, it'll blow the cotton ball out and you'll know you're on the right stroke. If you're working by yourself, one of these comes in handy. https://www.autozone.com/alarm-and-secu ... 273359_0_0 Hook it up at the starter solenoid and just bump the engine over a little at a time.

[DuckRyder]

I agree, go ahead and verify #1 TDC Compression before you wire it.

You should be able to turn it from the topside too...

[colnago]

It's 15/16". I kno, because I've done it about 14 billion times myself. And wear gloves. The wrench has slipped off about 13 billion times, and those fan blades are sharp! The wife tends to freak out if the blood is running down the arm.

From another forum, I learned that the shaft to the oil pump likes to lay to one side, so I use a glob of multi-purpose grease at the end of a screwdriver to help center it. Not sure if it works, but I use fewer swear words to get the @#$%&* dizzy in place.

Joseph

[colnago]

I haven’t gotten to try to start it yet, but assuming I have it 180* off, what would be my next action to correct it?
I have to work tomorrow, so suspending until next weekend when I plan to install new plugs and HEI wires.
I have the battery on a trickle charge on the workbench for now also.
Thanks again for all the solid advice!!

First, I agree with the others that you want #1 on the compression stroke. My method:

1. Put the damper at 10 degrees BTDC on the compression stroke.
2. Point the rotor to the #1 post.
3. Put a glob o' grease on the oil pump shaft to help center it.
4.Turn the rotor about 20 degrees CCW, and push down.
5. Use a 15/16" socket to move the crank back and forth until the dizzy drops.
6. Recenter the harmonic balancer to 10 degrees BTDC, and make sure the rotor is pointing towards the #1 post. If it's not, swear a few times, and go back to step 1.
7. Snug the clamp down, start her up, and start tweaking.

Joseph

[72bumbee]

Wow...not sure if I got all the abbreviations, but what I have done, is got the dizzy buttoned in and have it wired to the coil.
Beings there is no #1 marked on the cap, I was under the impression that wherever TDC was on the compression stroke, was where I would put my number one plug wire and then go around the horn in the same order as the old cap or as the firing order signifies.
I thank you all for the advice concerning the oil pump gear! Once I saw the diagrams an pictures, a light came on in my head!
So I seriously do believe I have the thing set to TDC on the exhaust stroke. I had pops helping me and he got a bit confused as I was trying to explain what I was trying to do. (Bless his heart, he’s 84)
So I guess the shop rag in the spark plug hole (or cotton ball) is what I will do next weekend to be sure I have it on the compression stroke. Then set the timing lines to BTDC and whichever post the rotor is pointing at will become my #1........ Right or no?¿?

[sargentrs]

You got it!

[DuckRyder]

BTDC = Before Top Dead Center
CCW = Counter Clockwise

Which wires did you end up with? Before you start putting them on sort them by length and try to figure out where each will fit best.

[72bumbee]

Thank you thank you thank you!
So today starts my next attack on the old beast.
I’m finally understanding this whole distribution system!
The other thing I have to do is get the double pulley off the alternator and put it on the new one.
Also, I had someone tell me that the starter motor could have an effect on my voltage spiking.... any words of wisdom on these two items before I dive in??

[72bumbee]

About the plug wires.... I got the HEI wires that MSD suggested when I did a search on their site.
Great advice about the lengths being laid out. I haven’t even opened the box yet... but $104.00!!!!! I’m being very careful with these babies.