Hello again.. I think my Distributer is in the wrong position.. When I bought the car the po had it wired for a chevy... I thought I had it wired right according to the book, but I noticed that the points adjustment window is facing the wrong way I believe,, I can't get a allen wrench in there to adjust the points.. which side of the car is the window suppose to be facing, pass or drivers side,???.. The car won't start most of the time and when it does it just does'nt sound right and when I give it a little gas it will quit... I think I have it maybe 180 out.. can you guys give me the procedure to start from scratch to set the timing properly,???... I'm guessing I'm going to have to take the distributer out and start all over again.. How do I know when I have it up on top dead center on the firing cycle,???.. Thanks for any help..
I usually take out the number one plug (front plug, left side), stick my finger in the hole and tap the ignition until the cylinder pops (or you can use a compression gauge). Then I make sure the timing mark is aligned at TDC. Next I remove the distributor cap and check where the rotor is pointing. According to previous posts, it should be pointing at a spot between the firewall and master cylinder, almost under the wiper motor. This may take several tries at removing and replacing the distributor to aim it there, as the rotor turns when you engage the camshaft gear, be sure to engage the oil pump shaft and the distributor seats all the way down. The vacuum advance on the distributor should also be on the left side. This will place the adjustment window aiming towards the rear of the right valve cover, and accessible for your allen wrench after you get the wires installed. Next make sure the number one wire on the distributor cap sits over the rotor in the proper position. Pontiac firing rotation is counter clockwise, 1 8 4 3 6 5 7 2.
Hey Rocky,, Thanks.. Now one more dumb question.. which side is left and which is right.. from what you said, I take it the right side is the drivers side, and the number one plug would be on the the pass side.. if this is the case I originally checked the wrong number one cylinder, I used the drivers side front piston for #1..
Why would I look at link to see the fireing order? It's not like I'm starting out with an empty tool box and starting out by building a plier collection.
When a person asks if the drivers side is the right side, they need an answer, not an implication. You'd been better off by not inviteing me to the link. It's more than clear that the link does not state witch side is left or right. It just points out the front of the engine, with #1 being the driver's side.
If you look at the picture, #1 is on the right side, and there is no way to determine side is which becaue it depends on which way you face the vehicle whether #1 is on the left side or the right side. And the question has tenfold the logic than claiming that a combinatin wrench is made at a specific lenght so that it can be substituted for a torque wrench.
I forvige you: Spending time as a professional offeres insight that novices dont take into account: When asked driver side of passenger side of vehicle, a customer a passenger side rear door glass. They needed a l/r door glass and stated that the passenger--duh!--not the driver gets in though the l/r door.
Why would I look at link to see the fireing order? It's not like I'm starting out with an empty tool box and starting out by building a plier collection.
When a person asks if the drivers side is the right side, they need an answer, not an implication. You'd been better off by not inviteing me to the link. It's more than clear that the link does not state witch side is left or right. It just points out the front of the engine, with #1 being the driver's side.
If you look at the picture, #1 is on the right side, and there is no way to determine side is which becaue it depends on which way you face the vehicle whether #1 is on the left side or the right side. And the question has tenfold the logic than claiming that a combinatin wrench is made at a specific lenght so that it can be substituted for a torque wrench.
I forvige you: Spending time as a professional offeres insight that novices dont take into account: When asked driver side of passenger side of vehicle, a customer a passenger side rear door glass. They needed a l/r door glass and stated that the passenger--duh!--not the driver gets in though the l/r door.
Mervyn, For the 'job at hand', the firing order link answered the question. As you can see, no more was asked after that. Anything else would have been confusing... If you could stick with advice and not 'thinly veiled' insults you could be much more effective answering questions....
also RH driving , driving on the right side...lol vs left hand driving , like in Britain, Australia, Japan driving on the drivers side (of our cars)...so, in "some" countries LH = drivers side is not correct!
Left side or Right side of car is regarded from inside vehicle in direction of travel , is probably more 'correct'...
Now, now,, Guys... Lets keep calm here..I can be quite the genius at times, and on the other hand I can be a little denser than most at other times.. I use to know most of this stuff, but it has been over 30 years since I've messed with any 1st. gen stuff... My questions I thought are pretty straight forward, and most have been answered.. It has been raining here lately, so I hav'nt had a chance to go out there and see if I can get the car to start and run right yet .. I'm pretty sure (hope) that is all my problem is.. I don't have another complete pontiac engine to compare mine by.. Thats why I was wanting to know which side the adjustment window is on, I take it that the distributer points adjustment window should be facing the right side of the engine (pass side), (right)?.. and the number one plug wire is on the left front (drivers) side of the engine compartment.. (right),???.. also,, is the #1 plug wire on the drivers side of the distributer????... I really appreciate ALL of your help, thats why I came here, I know you all know your pontiacs.. Believe me I will be asking a lot more questions, I have 2 1st. gen firebirds that I'm working on so, I'll need all the help I can get.. Thanks again...
#1 on the distributor cap is, if you are standing in front of the car facing the engine, at about the 1:00 position. This is the FACTORY location, very convenient to keep so that when you look at a diagram it will match, but it's not gospel. As long as the rotor points to #1 when the engine is at TDC on the compression stroke you are fine.
Cap window faces approximately 9:00 from the same location.
#1 is the front cylinder on the driver's side.
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
If my timing chain has jump time by a few cogs won't that change everything, (distributer postion)???.. Is there anyway I can tell if the timing has jumped,???
I must have done something wrong here, because like I said before the adjustment window is in such a position that I can't get in there to adjust the points with my dwell meter.. what could I have done here,???. I'm pretty sure I got it up on top dead center, but maybe it was up on exhaust, if so would the timing mark be inline on the harmonic balancer,???... I know I started my #1 over the rotor button, and wired it counter clock wise.. what could I have done wrong, any suggestions, so I'll know what to look for when I try it again..??
If the timing chain has jumped, adjusting your distributor won't fix your problem.
Pull that #1 plug again and rotate the crank clockwise, feeling for compression in #1. Once you feel compression, bring the mark to just before it lines up with the timing tab, say 6 BTDC. Then pop the distributor cap and see where the rotor points. If the rotor is in the right place (around 1 o'clock) but the window in the cap is not, loosen the clamp at the distributor base and rotate the distributor body until the window is around 8 or 9 o'clock.
If the rotor is not in the 1-2 o'clock area, the distributor may need to be pulled and reset.
Wired counterclockwise is correct.
Yes, the timing mark will line up in the correct position and 180 degrees off (#6 firing).
Vikki 1969 Goldenrod Yellow / black 400 convertible numbers matching
I think he may be having a problem with the oil pump shaft not lining up and not knowing that you have to turn the shaft with a screwdriver to line up the slot in the pump shaft with the distributor. To get it to point where you want it.
I think he may be having a problem with the oil pump shaft not lining up and not knowing that you have to turn the shaft with a screwdriver to line up the slot in the pump shaft with the distributor. To get it to point where you want it.
If my timing chain has jump time by a few cogs won't that change everything, (distributer postion)???.. Is there anyway I can tell if the timing has jumped,???
Checking gets more involved. Lets not go there yet.
Has the distributor been out? Or your just adjusting do to car run'n poorly?
I am not for sure if the p o has ever had it out, but I have a feeling it is very likely.. How can I start from scratch assuming the distributer has been out and put back in maybe more than once.. I think that may be why the guy sold me the car, I don't think he could get it running and gave up on it thinking something serious was wrong with the engine and just got fed up because it was going to get to expensive to restore the car.. He had made his own door panels and dash pad cover, put a 69 steering colunm in it and it's a 68.. I believe it's a real 400 car, but,, I hav'nt checked the VIN numbers yet.. BTW is the vin numbers on the title too.??.. Sorry, Bact to the distributer,,What can I do to start from scratch. I hope I don't have to remove the timing cover to check the gear placement.. but if I have to I will..
Turn the distributor so it sits like the picture I posted earlier in this thread. Then bring number one piston up on compression stroke just like Yellowbird wrote. After you do this, tell us where your rotor points in terms of hours on the clock.
Anything else would have been 
