Re: Mooing, Burping, just not startin, Rambler - UPDATE

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

Brian,

You don't need to pull the distributor all the way out. If you pull it 
about half way out, you'll be able to turn the rotor and the oil pump drive 
shaft at the same time and it should just drop right back in. If it 
doesn't, you can use a flat blade screw driver to turn the oil pump driveshaft.

Next time you work on it, set the engine at TDC on the #1 cylinder and turn 
the distributor until the vacuum advance can is roughly parallel to the 
engine. Pull the distributor out until the rotor stops moving and turn the 
rotor until it's just a little clockwise of the cap hold down screw boss 
near the vacuum advance. When you put the distributor back in, I think that 
this should have the rotor roughly parallel to the engine which should have 
the timing close enough to start the engine (you may still need to do the 
twist and crank thing to get it going). If the rotor isn't parallel, pull 
the distributor back out slightly and turn the rotor a little bit more. The 
closer you get it to parallel to the engine, the easier it's going to be to 
time.

I know this is frustrating now but like I said, you'll feel great once it's 
back in and running.

Matt

At 05:08 PM 11/27/2004 -0500, you wrote:
> Matt,
>
> The thing i have problems with is how the distributor "turns" as you 
> insert it or remove it when it meshes with the teeth. I have been making 
> sure that when it is finally 'seated' is where I wanted it to be.  So im 
> constantly inserting and reinserting trying to get it to line correctly.
>
> If i remove it again, im not really sure where I want it to be.  I figured 
> that the rotor pointed to Cyl1 at TDC is where i wanted to be, and then a 
> little less or more to set the timing.  But i think there is something off 
> with my timing mark since that doesnt seem kosher.  I think right now TDC 
> is pointing to the cylinder 4
>
> I just went out and swapped the wires counter-clockwise, (1 went in 5, 
> etc) and then rotated the distributor clockwise approx so that where #1 
> was, #5 replaced. (so that the rotor would be basically pointing to the 
> same place on that cylinder) but I couldnt get it to turn over.  Ill try 
> some more experiments in the morning...its gettin cold in NJ!
>
> Thanks again,
> Brian
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matt Haas" <mhaas@xxxxxxx>
> To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 3:42 PM
> Subject: Re: Mooing, Burping, just not startin, Rambler - UPDATE
>
>
> > Brian,
> >
> > You can either move the wires around or pull the distributor out enough 
> > that you can turn the rotor and set it properly. The motor doesn't care 
> > either way but I'd try to get it positioned where it should be so that 
> > everything fits properly and it looks right. A big advantage that lining 
> > it up correctly has over moving the wires is that 8 or 9 years down the 
> > road when you replace the wires, you don't have to remember that they're 
> > not in a stock position.
> >
> > You'll need to either move the wires or the rotor clockwise.
> >
> > Also, when you go to set the timing, make sure that you set the timing at 
> > 500 rpm or less and have the vacuum advance disconnected and plugged. 
> > Once the ignition is set, you can then move on to the carburetor.
> >
> > Matt
> >
> > At 02:54 PM 11/27/2004 -0500, you wrote:
> > > Shes alive! Cough Sputter... but running.
> > >
> > > I got it running by turning the distributor fully counter clockwise so 
> > > the vacuum advance is now touching the block.  It runs, but backfires 
> > > out of the carb.  At this running point, she is 25 degrees advanced via 
> > > my timing light.
> > >
> > > Before i go any further myself, what should i try next? shifting the 
> > > plug wires one by one.. clockwise or counterclockwise?  And then 
> > > adjusting the distributor in what direction to compensate for the plug 
> > > wire shift?
> > >
> > > Thanks! Shes running! cough sputter..
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matt Haas" <mhaas@xxxxxxx>
> > > To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 2:03 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Mooing, Burping, just not startin, Rambler - UPDATE
> > >
> > >
> > > > Brian,
> > > >
> > > > The distributor is likely still off a little bit (chances are, it's 
> > > > trying to fire either #4 or #5 instead of #1). With the hold down clamp 
> > > > loose and the ignition on, turn the distributor while cranking the 
> > > > engine. Try both ways but go slowly since you can go right past where 
> > > > it needs to be. As you get closer to having it lined up, it should back 
> > > > fire out of the carburetor less. You may run into the problem where you 
> > > > can't turn the distributor enough to get it to work. If that's the 
> > > > case, you'll need to remove the distributor and turn the rotor some. 
> > > > Also, if you find that it's just about at the end of where it can move 
> > > > after you get it running, you can move the wires around on the cap if 
> > > > you don't want to mess with moving the rotor.
> > > > >>
> >
> > mhaas@xxxxxxx
> > Cincinnati, OH
> > http://www.mattsoldcars.com
> > 1966 Rambler Rebel
> > 1968 Rambler American sedan
> > ===============================================================
> > According to a February survey of Internet holdouts released by
> > UCLA's Center for Communication Policy, people cite
> > not having a computer as the No. 1 reason they won't go online.

mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1966 Rambler Rebel
1968 Rambler American sedan
===============================================================
According to a February survey of Internet holdouts released by
UCLA's Center for Communication Policy, people cite
not having a computer as the No. 1 reason they won't go online.