I am working on setting my timing. When the timing mark is at 0 the rotor is pointing to the right before the "normal" #1 i have seen in diagrams. If i start with this post and go clockwise will i run into any trouble? Also will this affect the way timing is set or what timing is set?

Thanks

 

Make sure your reading 0 at top dead center not 180 degrees out. but that sounds like you are in the ball park. 18436572 clockwise rotation

 

So the timing mark and timing tab should still function the same regardless of what post is set as the number one? I ask because the car runs with the timing way out but with it set at stock 6 it doesnt want to start and when it has it runs horrible as if the timing is retarded too much. Yes I set timing with the EST disconnected.

 

If your referring to the mark on the harmonic balancer then yes... you can you any point on the distributor as number one as long as at TDC on #1 Cyl the rotor and cap line up with that plug wire (usually use the part of the cap thats closest to #1 cyl)... unless your using a computer controlled distributor some have a sensor indicating when the engine is at cyl #1 for the injector timing so you must put the plug wires on from a specific starting point which would make you install your distributor a specific way.

 

How would i know if my dist is computer controlled. I just replaced the one i had in there with what looks like a stock OEM replacement from advance.

 

Then more than likely it doesnt matter which way its installed the standard camaro distro didnt have a cylinder identifier and the stock computer i dont think matter. so you can use any plug wire as #1 cyl as long as cap and rotor line up with that one at TDC. Usually you use the bottom right one but if installing the distro your off a couple of teeth and cant get your timing right it shouldnt hurt to move the plug wires around the cap. I hope this is making sense.

 

1) If the distributor you bought connected right up with the electrical connectors in your car with no wire cutting/modding, then you got the right distributor, and it is computer controlled. The only other option is a vacuum advanced distributor, which has different wiring connections on it, and has the small chrome vacuum canister on the side. (There are preset locked advance distributors as well, but we'll ignore that option since AZ doesn't sell them off the shelf).

2) You need to find TDC on the compression stroke. Remove #1 spark plug (driver side, closest to radiator). Remove the coil wire from the coil. Hold finger over the plug hole, and have someone bump the starter until you feel pressure pushing against your finger. You should then see the mark on the balancer somewhere close to the timing tab. Then, using a socket on the crank bolt, turn engine manually until you get the mark on the balancer lined up with zero on the timing tab. Now you are at TDC compression stroke.

3) Replace #1 spark plug. Now - where the rotor points, the corresponding terminal on the distributor cap will be your #1 plug wire. Then follow the remaining plug wires around the cap in the firing order going clockwise.

4) It really doesn't matter where the rotor points when the engine is at TDC compression stroke. Alot of folks like to 'stab' the distributor so that the rotor actually points towards the #1 plug, but it's not necessary. As long as you have the engine at TDC #1 on compression stroke, and make the distributor cap terminal that the rotor then points to go to the #1 plug, and follow the firing order from there, all is good.

 

I believe what novaguy is trying to reference is a crankshaft position sensor

3rd gens don't have one so no worries

camaronewb is also correct but it may be confusing to you

if you look at diagrams, it shows #1 when at TDC, the rotor is pointing around 5 o'clock if you are in front of the engine. It could also be at 6 o'clock

I just had my engine rebuilt and when #1 is at TDC my rotor is pointing to 3:30 (approx)

Now, I could have removed the distributor and tried to get it to line up but why??????? Nope, I simply took a sharpie and wrote #1 next to that post on the distributor cap and then wired my plugs accordingly.

As long as you know where #1 is you're good-to-go

 

Thanks guys thats what I needed to know.

 

we Florida guys have to stick together