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

["Brian Hagen" <brian.hagen@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hm.. I think when I insert the distributor it rotates clockwise not 
counter-clockwise. So if I had it pointing to past the screw, it would 
contine further past when inserted fully. But I get your drift...

Any comments on the "dowel in cyl 1" idea?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Haas" <mhaas@xxxxxxx>
To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 2004 8:37 PM
Subject: Re: Mooing, Burping, just not startin, Rambler - UPDATE


> 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.