‘77 302 Distributor Reinstallation
filed in 1968 Mustang
Question: I’ve posted my problem once before here, and I got some good ideas. Here > is the original thread:
> http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&selm=MPG.1633fae320c34a25989684… > ews
> I did get the catalytic converter off of the vehicle, and that was not > the problem. I played a hunch, and loosened the holdown bolt on the > distributor. After advancing the distributor (At least I believe it to > be, turning it clockwise.) the engine runs great, no stumble at all.
> The “problem” with this is that the distributor is now turned as far as > possible clockwise, and the vacuum nipple for the advance hits the upper > radiator hose. The distributor was not in this position when the timing > was set awhile back. I only get around 15″ slowing increasing to 16″ of > vacuum measured off of the intake manifold. This is another change.
> My theory is I’ve got the distributor one tooth off. I tried restabbing > the distributor one tooth ahead, but the engine wouldn’t fire. I tried > taking out the spark plug from the #1 cylinder, feeling for air (actually > a strong blast) and then restabbing the distributor. No luck. I do have > it back to where I started from, it runs, but only turned as far > clockwise as the distributor will go until the advance nipple rests on > the upper radiator hose.
> Am I correct in thinking that I have the distributor one tooth off? > Should I have gone back one tooth instead of forward one tooth?
> This is a completely stock 1977 302 in a Maverick.
Answer: I remember in 1968 i had a 66 mustang. took out the dist. to repair the plate that you screw down the points onto. i put it back and could not get it started. had a mechanic come out and he took it our and put it in several times as i was in the car and he would say: try it now, then, now. after a few tries he had it. only the dist. was off by 180 degrees, but it still worked fine. i followed him back to his shop and then he put the dist. in 180 degrees back to the correct way and put his timing light on it and adjusted the timing. Maybe you can do the same with your engine, pull the dist. out and move it 180 degrees??? which might be the correct way for it to go and you will have the room to move it to advance or retard the timing???? hope this helps.
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