QuestionFrom the Firing Order on the manifod-does it go counter clockwise? And how do I run my plug wires to the distributor in corelation with the window on the distributor acp? Where should the window be? Should it face the carborator? Where is the Number 1 on the distributor cap? Are they run clockwise or counter clockwise on the distributor cap?
AnswerThe window should be pointed toward the carburetor, or at least close enough that the dwell can be adjusted easily. The way to determine which way the rotor rotates is to take the distributor cap off the top of the distributor, then crank the engine and see which way the rotor rotates.
To determine which hole gets the wire for #1 cylinder, remove the spark plug from #1 cylinder and have someone bump the starter momentarily until you feel pressure building up in #1. It is safe to stick your finger in the spark plug hole, or you can put a compression tester gauge in the hole if you want, anything to tell you when you have #1 on the compression stroke.
Then, manually, by pulling on the fan belts or with a wrench on the crankshaft pulley center bolt, rotate the engine clockwise (viewed from the front of the car) until the timing mark is within a half inch or so of Top Dead Center on the timing indicator. Now, you know #1 is ready to fire. Whichever hole in the distributor cap is where the rotor contact is pointing toward is the right place to insert the #1 plug wire. Now proceed in the direction of rotation determined above around the cap with the rest of the wires 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. Now you have the plug wires in right.
The reason you have to go through all this is that the distributor might have been moved from the original position, or the engine might have been cranked over since the distributor was removed - you'll never find the right place by trial and error, you have to do it this way if the wires were mixed up or if the distributor has been disturbed.
The cylinders are numbered 1-3-5-7 front to back on the driver's side, and 2-4-6-8- front to back on the passenger's side.
If the distributor has been disturbed, or the points have been changed, you will need to set the final timing after you get it running. First set the dwell at 30 degrees, then set the timing at spec with a timing light by rotating the distributor - against the direction of rotation determined above to advance the timing, and with the direction of rotation to retard it. The specified timing for this engine is 7 1/2 degrees before (advanced from) top dead center.
Dick
