I don't think I have it sat in right.
The timing is correct but it seems like the wires are too short...

Where should the rotor be pointing too if it is tdc?

 

someone has to knwo come on guys!

 

I believe the rotor is suppose to be pointing at the distributor caps # 1 terminal... 18436572...

 

Yeah but you could make any terminal the number 1 terminal...

 

Correct - you can make any terminal on the distributor the #1 terminal.

Usually, folks find TDC on the compression stroke, and then stab the distributor so that the rotor is pointing towards the #1 plug. Then, they call that corresponding cap terminal #1, and run the wires accordingly by firing order.

But since you can call any terminal the #1 terminal, you don't necessarily have to restab the distributor - you just have to make sure your at TDC on the compression stroke, and wherever the rotor is pointing THAT terminal will be the #1 plug wire, then rerun the wires accordingly with firing order.

If having trouble with wire lengths, just start with your shortest wire, and run it to the closest plug, then plug that wire into the correct terminal for that plug, and so forth.

If you just can't get enough length out of the set for one or more plugs, then maybe you ended up with the wrong plug wire set - just because the auto parts counter person handed you that box, doesn't mean it was or right box, or that it had the right wire set inside - and you may be forced to get a new set.

Good Luck!

 

The problem is, is I have 3 short wires 2 medium wires 2 medium-large wire and 1 large wire!

 

They can cost more - but maybe try a cut-to-length kit - they come with 8 long wires, and ends to crimp on the dist side - you run them, cut them to size, crimp the end on, and viola! And the Taylor Made Spiro-wound come in a multitude of sexy colors (which they should at $65 a set!).

 

here is the best video ive ever seen on installing the sbc distributor http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjNS_PHTRog

 

well now, I just checked my birds firing order and indeed number 1 wire is point straight down the middle of the camshaft... is that acceptable, car ran like a champ... then again I haven't driven it in 5 years...




BTW, on the Harmonic damper/balancer whatever it's called, on the tab, my base timing is set 2BTDC, engine calls for TDC, but it runs like a worn out dog...

 

This all helps very much. looks like I am reinstalling my dizzy tomorrow!

 

KNBlazer - doesn't matter where the terminal is that is #1 on the cap - the rotor determines which terminal is #1 on the cap when the distributor is installed. You can have the rotor pointing towards the firewall at TDC, and the cooresponding cap terminal will be #1 plug wire - doesn't matter where the rotor points, as long as YOU make that terminal on the cap the #1 plug wire at TDC.

I think the habit of stabbing the distributor so that the rotor points towards the #1 spark plug on a SBC started because in the old days the distributors had vacuum advance cans on the sides, and if the distributor was stabbed this way, 1) it was easy to remember which terminal on the cap was #1, and 2) this allowed the greatest adjustment of the distrubutor (rotation-wise) because any other position and the vacuum can would get caught against the firewall, the intake vacuum tree, etc. while turning the distributor and restrict your tuning ability.

 

I forgot to mention, this is a carb car with a vacuum advance MSD dizzy