Removal and Installation of BB Distributor

[Mopsquad]

Hello All!,

Changing my distributor on my 426 Hemi to an EFI version.  Received my new EFI one yesterday and contacted the vendor to complain that there was no gear on the lower shaft. That they forgot to install.  Now from that statement, you know I have no idea about Mopar dizzy's.  After the laughter on the other end of the phone, I got full on humble pie.

My question is about removal and installation.  Are there certain protocols to removal.  With an intermediate shaft, is there any chance of disruption.  Does it stay put and I just set the new dizzy shaft key into the matched slot? Certain protocol to installation?

I'll mark the current position of the rotor and try to match up with the new distr.

Thx!

[Cuda Cody]

Only goes in 2 ways so be sure to check that it's lined up the correct way and then you'll want to re-set the timing.  If you car is running good right now you might want to check the timing before you remove the old one so you have a good idea what it was at.  You'll also want to check the initial and advance to make sure the car is running the best it can.

[Mopsquad]

Only goes in 2 ways so be sure to check that it's lined up the correct way and then you'll want to re-set the timing.  If you car is running good right now you might want to check the timing before you remove the old one so you have a good idea what it was at.  You'll also want to check the initial and advance to make sure the car is running the best it can.

Thx!

The car isn't running right now but it was in time before disassembly.  I know with Fords, I could get pretty close on the timing with a new dizzy install just by lining up the gear with the cam gear and the rotor in the same approx position. 

With no gear to line up, just a slot can I do the same thing - line up the rotor position while having the slot seat?

[Cuda Cody]

If you have not removed the gear yet then it's just pull out the old distributor (make note of the direction the cap is pointing in the rotor) and line up the new distributor in the same slot / direction.  It will be close enough to get the engine running and then set the timing.

[71-440]

 

this might help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2X9mSSlQY

[Mopsquad]

this might help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2X9mSSlQY

Thx, David makes really informative vids.

[71-440]

Although they constantly use  SB chebys (pun intended) as examples you get the idea.

[Chryco Psycho]

AS mentioned sort of the dist can only be installed in 2 positions but different dist may have the rotor phased [pointing in a different direction relative to the drive tab] so #1 wire may not be in the same place on the cap without resetting the oil pump drive .

[71-440]

AS mentioned sort of the dist can only be installed in 2 positions but different dist may have the rotor phased [pointing in a different direction relative to the drive tab] so #1 wire may not be in the same place on the cap without resetting the oil pump drive .

How would you know if the rotor is phased? I know MSD makes a rotor that you can adjust for phasing but can it be phased another way without that adjustable rotor?

[Chryco Psycho]

All I am saying is the drive tab & rotor may not be the same between different distributors so if you pull out a dist & say the rotor is pointed directly at the radiator a dist from a different manufacturer installed the same way as there are only 2 positions for the slot in the drive the rotor may now be 45* different so you now either move the wires to the correct post on the cap or change the position if the drive .
Understand ? So the drive tab & rotor positon is often different

[71-440]

All I am saying is the drive tab & rotor may not be the same between different distributors so if you pull out a dist & say the rotor is pointed directly at the radiator a dist from a different manufacturer installed the same way as there are only 2 positions for the slot in the drive the rotor may now be 45* different so you now either move the wires to the correct post on the cap or change the position if the drive .
Understand ? So the drive tab & rotor positon is often different

Ok got it!

Thanks!

[734406PK]

To check rotor phasing, without expensive equipment, you will need to sacrifice a distributor cap and drill some viewing holes in it as directed in this video from MSD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWMlNwGW0tM

[RUNCHARGER]

If in doubt you could bar the engine over with the old distributor until you hit #1 fire. You could check that by checking the reluctor and rotor position. Then when you install the new one just make sure you are at #1 fire again. Of course that will only ensure your initial timing is at the same spot.

[Chryco Psycho]

reluctor phasing is a whole different thing , that is when the rotor is in line with the terminal on the cap at the same time as the reluctor & pick up line up , the Mopar dist have 2 slots in the reluctor one for small block & one for big block as they rotate opposite this is when you need to drill at least 1 hole in the cap

[734406PK]

Copied from the original post:  Changing my distributor on my 426 Hemi to an EFI version.
What kind (brand) of EFI distributor do you have?