BBC Distributor Set Up??

kirkm · 08-16-2009, 07:34 AM

I have to ask a very very simple & maybe dumb question. How do you guys set initial timing with a new chevy bbc & msd distributor insallation (starting from scratch)? I am only asking,because i know you guys are very very slick & know more tricks of the trade than i will ever know. kirk

Cisco Kid · 08-16-2009, 12:20 PM

remove all plugs,and distributor....
bring #1 (fwd most plug on drivers side) to top dead center,line up oil pump shaft with bottom of distributor (eye ball it! you will have to mess with it a little bit till you get it right)...drop in distributor with rotor button facing #1 cylinder,install all wires and plugs and shaaazzaaam get yourself a timing light and set the timing...thats just the way i was taught how to do it!

firing

Ron Gusack · 08-22-2009, 08:13 AM

Once I get the distributor in, I set the initial like this. Lets say you want to set the initial at 12 BTDC with an HEI and the distributor is in. With number 1 plug very very loose, rotate the crank until you hear compression being forced past the loose number one plug. Continue rotating the crank until you have the TDC mark on the balancer lined up with the 12 degree mark on the scale. Pull the cap off the distributor and look at the position of the rotor. You now have to rotate the distributor base to line up one of the caps spikes and that spike is where you attach your number 1 plug wire. This procedure is a little different if you are using a crank trigger or if you have a point type distributor. If this didn't help, ask again and tell us what you're ignition is.

08-16-2009, 12:20 PM	#2
Cisco Kid Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Shadyside Ohio Posts: 51 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: BBC Distributor Set Up?? remove all plugs,and distributor.... bring #1 (fwd most plug on drivers side) to top dead center,line up oil pump shaft with bottom of distributor (eye ball it! you will have to mess with it a little bit till you get it right)...drop in distributor with rotor button facing #1 cylinder,install all wires and plugs and shaaazzaaam get yourself a timing light and set the timing...thats just the way i was taught how to do it! firing Attached Thumbnails

08-22-2009, 08:13 AM	#3
Ron Gusack Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 244 Likes: 1 Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts	Re: BBC Distributor Set Up?? Once I get the distributor in, I set the initial like this. Lets say you want to set the initial at 12 BTDC with an HEI and the distributor is in. With number 1 plug very very loose, rotate the crank until you hear compression being forced past the loose number one plug. Continue rotating the crank until you have the TDC mark on the balancer lined up with the 12 degree mark on the scale. Pull the cap off the distributor and look at the position of the rotor. You now have to rotate the distributor base to line up one of the caps spikes and that spike is where you attach your number 1 plug wire. This procedure is a little different if you are using a crank trigger or if you have a point type distributor. If this didn't help, ask again and tell us what you're ignition is.

08-16-2009, 07:34 AM	#1
kirkm Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: ohio Posts: 3 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	BBC Distributor Set Up?? I have to ask a very very simple & maybe dumb question. How do you guys set initial timing with a new chevy bbc & msd distributor insallation (starting from scratch)? I am only asking,because i know you guys are very very slick & know more tricks of the trade than i will ever know. kirk