I just found out the carb isn't computer controlled and the distributor is, I figure its causeing my overheating problems by not advanceing when it should.

I have a non-cc controlled distributor and was wondering what I should set the base timing and @ what RPM?

Also does the vaccum advance connect at the back of the carb?

It's a stock LG4 except for the carb.

 

Just bringing to the top, I'm probably doing the distributor swap as you read this.

:lala:

 

USUALLY (but not always) you want the car to idle around 600-650 in drive when warm (around 800 in neutral). 600-650 in neutral if it's a stick.

And the text book base timing on a NON CC SBC is 12* BTDC. This may vary somewhat depending on what carb you're running (which is my next question), and what cam, heads, exhaust, comp. ratio, etc.

What carb do you have? That will help in knowing where to tell you to hook up the vacuum advance.

 

Its a Rochester M4ME, 9.5:1 CR, stock LG4 cam, stock heads, 3" exhaust from the stock manifolds and an 80 series flowmaster.

It's an automatic so about 500rpm in (DR) when warm?

 

The vacuum advance port on a Q-Jet is the one on the front driver's side of the carb right in front of the idle speed screw.

I'd start by putting the distributor in aligned exactly straight, which is usually about 10° advanced, and go from there.

 

I just put the non-cc distributor in and got no spark, is there anything I could be doing worng?

If not its probly just that crappy control module I put in it.

 

Ok, I went and bought an new module put it in and still no spark.
The pickup coil tested fine, and I tried two different capacitors.

The ecm is giving me a code 41 along with the other codes that pretty much says the carb isn't there anymore.

Is there a guide to swapping from cc to non-cc?

I don't know if I'm doing anything wrong here, I plugged everything back into the factory harness and I checked for power at the coil and its ok, I tested the pickup coil and ignition coil with a multimeter and they both checked out. I set the distributor back in exactly where it came out and nothing......

What do you guys think???

here is the trouble code, or is it going to give this code anyway because its a non-cc distributor?

Trouble Code 41,
No distributor reference pulses to ecm with engine running.
Pobable Cause*
Poor electrical connection, open or short in circuit; defective MAF
sensor burn-off relay; defective MAF sensor; defective ECM

 

If you took out the stuff that the computer controls, then don't try and wire thru the ECM.

Once you take all that stuff out, you need to wire the new dist. direct to 12V power.

 

what all do i need to wire? just the batt terminal?

 

Do I need to rewire any of the est harness, I tried just putting 12 volts to the coil and it didn't want to fire. It has a 5-pin module if that helps..

 

Are you still trying to use the stock cc controlled coil?

Are you using an HEI?

Does it have vacuum advance?

Does it have a coil on top, or a external mounted coil?

Is it stock or aftermarket?

What all do you have hooked up to the dist?

Do you get spark by laying a plug wire near the engine while it's cranking?

Just about any HEI with a top mounted coil and a vacuum advance will have TWO terminals on the cap on the driver's side. One's marked "12v" or "Batt", and the other is marked "Tach". That's all it takes to hook up an HEI with a top mounted coil.

If it has an external coil, there will be a spot on it that goes to 12V UNLESS it's a coil for CC controlled dist. Then it needs to be plugged into the ECM because there are wires to the module, then wires going back to the coil. But if the ECM senses there's no carb, then it's not going to provide info to the module.

Fill us in on more details and we'll be able to help more.

AJ

 

It's the stock cc coil
HEI
It has vaccum advance
coil is in cap
5-pin Module
stock components
I just hooked up the factory plugs, (the batt wire, tach, and est harness and no fire)
I tried pulling a plug wire and chekcing the spark but nothing

 

Five pin module? Mine only had four....

AND FYI, the stock wiring runs the mechanical distributor just fine.

 

What car/motor/year did the distributor come off of. Some were vacuum advance but still had computer provisions and had 5 pin modules.

Here's my advice:

Go to a junkyard or pick-a-part

Get a non-cc HEI. Car must be in the 1970's, ANY GM will work ( Buick, SOME Cadillac, etc.) Put a couple modules from other car's distributors in the junkyard ( same style HEI) and put them in your pocket so you don't have to pay for them. Get them tested and then install the one that works and put the 4 pin HEI vac. advance dist. into the car.

FORGET about the ECM wiring, you do not need it.

Run a 12 gauge wire to the B+ terminal on the cap and a ground to the B- and fire her up!!!! If you are unsure about where the positive lead goes, there is only 1 place to put it if you are not running a MSD or anything. 3 wires come from your module and clip into the cap. It only fits 1 way, it's a 1 piece clip, you can't screw up. Now, you only have 2 terminals left: a neg. and a positve. Hook them up, set the base timing to 12 degrees and go!