The subject explains it all. Ok, first its an 86 iroc auto with a 305. Now, ive always noticed a really rough idle and my tach kept jumping all around, so i figured i needed a distributor and a rotor. Sounded like 3 misses and the motor would kick real hard to the drivers side every now and then. so i replaced the distributor and rotor (in record time *30mins*) and as i was pulling the coil out i noticed a bunch of run marks in the outside metal square that surrounds the coil. I figured my problem was that the spark was jumping from the distributor points/spark plug wire boots back into the coil since theyre all so close together. So i put black tape on all of the boots, and i was wondering if i should replace the coil? And right when i went to tighten the final screw, the whole distributor twisted. i was like omg. and it stayed twisted, so i just twisted it back so it was plum with the plenum. Now i only have one faint miss in the pipes it sounds like, no tach jump, and a smoother idle. The dealer i bought the car from replaced the fuel injectors so i suspect that he has the manifold off and the distributor pulled out. Or is it supposed to turn? how can i fix it? could this throw my cars timing out of wack? thanks for your time guys.

 

The distributor is supposed to turn, it's how you advance or retard your timing, however, it shouldn't be that loose that you can turn it just by bumping it or tightening a screw. Start your car, leave it idle, and turn the distributor ever so slightly, clockwise or counter-clockwise, until your engine idle sounds its absolute best. Once you do this, shut the car off, get yourself a distributor wrench, and tighten the hold-down bolt at the base of the distributor (it's on the manifold, clamping down on a "y" shaped piece of metal) that will keep the distributor from turning. You should notice your problems clearing right up. Do you have an external coil, or HEI? When was the last time you had new plug wires?

 

How about using a timing light fellas....I doubt your ear is qualified if you didnt know the distributer moves!!!

 

Riley's has a good point there... I always do mine by ear, I just know what to listen for, but if you aren't too experienced with it, then put a light on it and see where it's set, then set it and tighten down that bolt.

 

its an hei. So you dont think the coil has a problem with all the burn marks around its base?

 

try reusing it and see if your problem persists. If it does, change it out, OEM replacements aren't too expensive.

BTW, TPI V8's are set at 6 degrees BTDC. TBI V8's I believe are Zero degrees.

 

i tried setting my timing the other week, ive been looking all over the boards for answers with no luck. The indicator marks on the degree slat above the "dampner?" is all rusted, theres a deep grove thats deeper then the rest, is that tdc or the 6 btdc mark, if its the tdc mark then wheres the 6btdc mark located at? and is there some mark on the "dampner" that tells me where the crank is at tdc? and is that where i should put my white timing mark at?

so confused...