bought car missing tpi system.going back with carb and a mallory distributor with vacum advance.when i bring it up to #1 hole where should the vacum be when i stab the distributor?thanks also which is the #1 hole on the distributor and do i go clockwise with the wires?

 

DETERMINING TDC FOR STATIC TIMING

1. Remove the #1 spark plug.
2. Disable the ignition or ground the open spark plug wire.
3. Using a suitable means, monitor pressure at the #1 spark plug hole while briefly cranking the engine.
4. Once a definite compression pressure is sensed, observe the timing marks on the harmonic balancer and timing tab.
5. Rotate the engine to align the marks at top dead center.
6. Install the distributor with the rotor pointing toward the left front corner of the engine (#1 cylinder). This should position any external parts (like a vacuum advance) clear of obstructions.
   
   NOTE: You will have to turn the rotor slightly counterclockwise (as viewed from the top) from the intended position since the rotor will turn clockwise slightly as the driven gear meshes with the cam gear.
   
7. Install the distributor hold down clamp, washer, and nut finger tight.
8. Rotate the engine slightly (usually bumping with the starter works fine for this) to allow the distributor shaft to align and mesh with the oil pump shaft.
9. Snug the hold down nut and try starting the engine. Adjust the distributor position as necessary to start and adjust the base timing.
10. Tighten the hold down nut.

 

thanks vader,this will help alot.

 

I know this post is old but... where it says factory #1 position i had always thought that it was the one below that. The same as pictured. Just wondering since im trying to put my distributor in and it wont sit flush, the oil pump shaft and the gears are not sync and i hate how much of a PITA it is...

 

Just a twist with a longer, flat blade scrwedriver should get the oil pump shaft back into position.

 

I think that picture of the distributor is wrong?

The plug the arrow is pointing to is plug 2.

Plug 1 should be connected to the NEXT one around...the one just PAST the screw. (about 5 o'clock position)

 

Maybe on a points distributor.

It really makes no difference. The correct terminal is whichever one the rotor is pointing to when the engine is at TDC#1 firing.

 

All im sayin is, the line drawing and the photo dont match

The line drawing shows 1 as being just past the screw, the photo shows it being before the screw.

Having just yesterday dropped a distributor into my 91z, we brought cylinder 1 up to TDC, and pointed the rotor just past the screw hole, position 1 in the line drawing.

Lets ignore the part about the car not starting for now though....

 

yes the photo of the cap and yellow pointer arrow is wrong but its the next one clockwise tha is #1 from factory

but it doesnt matter as long as you set the engine to TDC #1 at any tower, use that tower for the #1 wire

bo big deal at all really

the vacuum advance always is on pass side and between the rear intake corner and the firewall- alot of the times the advance is positioned right above the intake corner or close to it depending on how accurately you position the pump rod and cam timing when you drop the dizzy in

use a tire iron or long screw driver to turn it, when it is good for #1 TDC the slot in the rod will be pointing at #1 cyl as will the factory "correct" spark plug wire tower


once you have mastered setting and dropping a dizzy in at #1 TDC then you can do it at any cylinder TDC position, it will all be second nature, but you need to memorize chevy firing order 18436572 and know which cylinders are what number

driver side odd
and pass side even
front to back

but you will always have to re position the oil pump rod either way



good luck

 

yeah, ive been playing with this oil pump and long screwdriver for hours, it feels and looks like the oil pump shaft itself is loose and wobbling around down there, is that normal. It isnt sitting center and i think that is half of my problem. This isnt the first time ive dropped a distributor in either, It is though the first doing it on my new car.

So any suggestions on what to do about the shaft wobbling around?
Thanks

 

I think it is a bit wobbly, yes.

It took us all of 30 seconds to do it the other day...turned it about 45 degrees or so pointing towards the front tire...kinda closely matched the groove at the bottom of the dizzy...dropped it in...wiggled it a time or two, and it dropped right in.