How to Properly time Duraspark ignition

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Komet302, Jul 20, 2003.

  1. Komet302

    Komet302 Member

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    Hi Guys

    How does a person go about setting the timeing for a 76' 302 duraspark distributer? I don't have a manual for this year and my car's service manuals are from 73'. Basically I need to know how to position the distributer when I remove it and replace it with a rebuilt one, It should line up with a bolt or something I am just not sure if it's the same as a points distributer.

    Thanks
     
    Komet302, Jul 20, 2003
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  2. T.L.

    T.L. Banned

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    The same way that a point type distributor is timed. When piston #1 is at top dead center, the rotor should be pointing to #1 on the cap. Mark the position of the rotor before removing the old distributor, then install the new one with the rotor pointing at that mark.

    Once you get the engine started, with the vacuum advance disconnected and plugged, set the initial timing to 6-12 degrees BTDC (I run 14 initial which gives me 38 total). Reconnect the vacuum advance line. After that's done, check the idle speed, as it may need adjusting after the timing is set...
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2003
    T.L., Jul 20, 2003
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  3. Komet302

    Komet302 Member

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    Hi T.L.

    How closely should the rotor line up with the mark? I have it within a 1/8" of the mark and the distributer houseing only seems to fit completely in certain locations.
     
    Komet302, Jul 21, 2003
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  4. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

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    The problem your finding is the oil pump shaft is not lining up with the oil pump. Get it in the correct position and drop it down as far as it will go. Then bump the motor over. It will then drop the rest of the way in.
     
    Mavaholic, Jul 21, 2003
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  5. mark_b

    mark_b Member

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    I have been there! This can be a real head ache. I used a 1/4 " drive socket on a 6" extension, or an old distributor shaft to turn the oil pump drive shaft.I don't remember what size socket fit the oil pump drive shaft. BUT YOU BETTER TAPE THE SOCKET ONTO THE EXTENSION FIRST. So it stays on the out side of your motor!!!
    Turn the drive shaft 1/8 turn each time you attempt to fit it. It took me quite a while to get mine to drop in where it was correct. OOO MY Back!!! Because of the tight fit between the water outlet and the a/c bracket the vacume advance diaphram housing doesn't have much room to swing around to get the timming ajusted correct.
    Just keep screwing with it.


    People...I ask...Is there a better way?

    Please post it.
    :)
     
    mark_b, Jul 21, 2003
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  6. Komet302

    Komet302 Member

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    Thanks Guys I got it all sorted out now, runs alot better now. The engines previous owner must have pried on the Vacuum advance cuz the distributer housing was broke, I couldn't figure out why I always had a awful miss on excelleration that got worse over time:)
     
    Komet302, Jul 21, 2003
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