New Build Startup Issue

When you install your next distributor, throw the book aside because it’s wrong most of the time.

Cranking a new engine and not getting it lit is the number one cam killer there is. It ain’t good for the rings either.

Next time, roll the engine over to 35 degrees BTDC. 40 works too.

Grab your distributor and mark on the housing where the number one spark plug wire goes.

Then look at which way the drive tang is pointing. It is almost NEVER lined up with the rotor.

So, if you line the slot in the drive gear up like the book says you’ll be wrong every time.

Once you know which way the slot in the gear needs to point, use a long screwdriver and turn the gear against rotation and it will walk up out of the cam gear. Rotate it until the slot is where you want it.

Then drop the distributor in. Grab the rotor with one hand and twist it for full advance. Then turn the housing so the number one mark on the housing lines up with the rotor.

Lock it down. If you have it wired correctly it will light right off.