Symptoms that Distributor is off by One tooth?

I have everything back together after installing the booster plate on the oil pump, but now my car misses erratically at all RPM's.


Is this consistent with my distributor being installed one tooth off?

 

If you just attemted to plop it back in the way it was without making any marks, than you could be a tooth off. Although it sound more like you messed up the firing order.

 

I never touched the wireso No:

 

Is there any way I could tell which way I need to go with the teeth?

 

My method. With the distributor out turn the rotor to number one. Then take the cap off and mark where number one is on the distributor body. With the cap off but rotor on, put it in till it drops. You might hafta move the oil pump shaft with a screwdriver to get it right. When its in, turn it both ways a little to make sure the vacuum advance cannister isn't bumping anything. Thats it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Smartin

I will never be the mechanic so many here are, but yes from personal experience it will run although rough off one tooth.

 

Oops, I fogot to mention that you need the timing marks up at TDC to do that. You figured it out right? Thanks Larry.

 

DIstributor is set up correctly now!


BUT!.....


I took it for a spin and it was running great! A half mile from home, it started running rough and wanted to die. I got it home and checked EVERYTHING. I can't figure out why it is running so bad. It doesn't miss, but it feels/sounds like the vac advance is not working. But I checked the timing and everything checks out there. Initial mechanical advance is 12-14*, and with the vac hooked up it is running at 25*.

I can't find any vacuum leaks, but when I lay my hand over the choke plate, it runs MUCH better.

There is a major hesitation as I touch the accelerator about 1/8" of movement.

Right now, it wants to run at 500 RPM. If I try to raise it, it starts to hesitate and miss....bad.


What the hell did I do?? I'm soing my best to not drive this thing into the creek behind my house. I've been working on this booster plate project since 1pm today. I thought I was done when I fixed the distributor, but what now?

:blast:

 

Ok....

I'll look at it tomorrow. I was under the impression that was my problem, but I just couldn't find anything that would make the engine idle that badly.

I've packed it up for the night so I can sit an relax while I watch the new Indiana Jones DVD's I got for Christmas!:beer

 

Adam, as usual Larry is correct. Good idea to take a break from it for a while. When you find how obvious it was, you will be kicking yourself. Good Luck

 

Sounds like the alternator died and its running off the battery only.

 

I'll take a look at voltage output when I get out to the garage this morning. I just can't fathom how I am missing a vacuum leak this big. I went from a strong 19" of vacuum to 15" instantly.

o No:

 

Could my distributor still be off by a tooth? It sounds like all the cylinders are firing AT TDC when I listen to the exhaust note.

Have you ever disconnected the vac advance and listened to the exhaust tone? Yep, sounds like that. They all seem to be firing correctly though....with the occasional misfire...

I still cannot locate any vacuum leaks. I've searched all the plumbing. I even replaced a couple suspect lines.

Would a set of new advance springs be doing this?? What I don't understand is how it "suddenly" started running like crap....after it was running so well before I took it out on the street.

 

Wow Adam,

Your car is kicking your but on this one! Good thing it waited till cruising season was over. You've checked your vacuum lines, but have you checked any vacuum powered accesories? Heres some examples. Vacuum Advance, Choke pull off, EGR valve (if applicable), vacuum heater and A/C controls, etc. These things can fail and cause a vacuum leak. As a matter of fact, the Vacuum advance in my wifes Estate Wagon died last month causing a leak and a high-pitched whistle.

 

I suppose I could replace the vac advance cannister. And I can check the choke/secondary pulloffs by unhooking them and capping the port on the carb.

Yeah my car is kicking my butt.....bad. I'm not a happy camper right now. I had it all fixed last night, and then all the sudden, it decides to puke on me....for no apparent reason.

 

Has your carb or intake come loose? You can also check for vacuum leaks with carb cleaner, but your engine bay looks awfully nice for that.

 

Well, here's kind of an update...

I put the timing gun on it again, and it read ~20* with vac advance. When I disconnected and plugged the vac port, I still ended up with the same number.

I'm replacing the vac advance cannister with the Crane Adj vac advance kit. I just have to install the stop for it and I'm good to go for a test run. I hope to god this is it.

I would be spraying carb cleaner all over the place, but I'm out unfortunately.