Still sorting it out..........

[burrpenick]

The 360 is finally in the Cuda and running OK, but I have several small items to attend to. We did not get the distributor positioned correctly and the vacumn advance is hitting the back of the intake when I try to advance the timing to 10 before TDC. Was told to just move the plug wires counter clockwise one space and then twist the distributor about an inch clockwise so that I can dial in the required amout of advance. Someone please verify those instructions- especially the direction I need to move the wires around on the cap and then the direction I need to twist the distributor and exactly how far I need to twist it.

George

[GoodysGotaCuda]

What you need to to is center up the vac advance, turn the engine over, by hand, until TDC Compression stroke on piston #1. From there you can look and see where your rotor is pointing. Make sure that your number one spark plug terminal on the cap is lined up, very close to the rotor location. If not, your distributor drive may need to be moved over a tooth to compensate.

Has the engine ran fine before you installed it? Possibly the previous owner had it set one terminal off to compensate for poor dist drive phasing to cure the problem, then you installed it by the book diagram and its off. Just a thought, not sure of what work you've done to the engine.

-Mike

[burrpenick]

Thanks, I did a complete rebuild and the motor fired up and ran in well. It even ran OK but  we accidentally had the timing set at 6 ATDC instead of 6 btdc. It ran pretty well, a little cold natured but was spitting/backfiring a little more than I felt it should. I could only get it to 0 because the vacumn advance hit the back of the intake. I would rather not pull the dist and mess with that gear if I dont have too. I was told to just move the wires on the cap over one hole (counter clockwise?) and then twist the dist clockwise but I need to be certain which direction to move the wires and twist the dist. Is this an OK method? I always have a hard time getting TDC of the compression stroke...I usually hold a finger over the hole and then when it pushes it off, watch for the 0 mark. I really do appreciate your assistance on this issue. George

[dodge freak 2]

Yes its fine to move all the wires over 1 or even more posts. Might not win you any rewards at the concor shows but your motor could care less how the factory decided to route the wires.

As for which way, hmmm, lets see you want to advance the timing more. I can't recall right now which way that rotor spins, I believe its clockwise but then I would not bet on it.

You need to pop the dist. cap off, look at the rotor, bump the motor over for 1 second to see which way it goes. Then you need to think which way to move the wires, yes about 1 inch is about right, the space between posts. I done it before, you are right, screw removing the dist and moving the oil pump gear over 1 tooth, much easier to move all the wires 1 post.

[burrpenick]

OK, that sounds close to what I need to know, but I need a little more explanation. THe SBlock does turn clockwise, so I was thinking I need to move the wires clockwise to get the timing to 6 or so BTDC, but does that mean I should then twist the dist about an inch COUNTERCLOCKWISE?

George

[Moparal]

Gosh, it is so much better just to pull the distributor and put it in the propper place. I am not sure if you make your own wires or buy them pre built, but if you bought over the counter wires, you may get a headache for wire length.  Find number one top dead center, put the dist shaft inline with the crank, bump the engine till it goes phhhht with your finger in the hole, put the #1 plug there and go to town. Short cuts usually are not the best way to go. It will not take 30 minutes to do it the right way.   good luck

[dodge freak 2]

The wires would still be in the right place, all thats different is the mounting clips would be 1 post off, who cares?

Ok, let me think even thou its late. Rotor does turn clockwise. Vacuum can hits firewall. Man, your dist. sounds to me like is 180 degrees off! Its a easy fix but gets me right now. You need to just lift the dist up a ways and turn the rotor halfway but I am getting too confused. Lets hope somebody else can help you tonight.

[Chryco Psycho]

the small block rotates clockwise so you need to move the wires COUNTERCLOCKWISE  1 position , ththen rotate the dist CLOCKWISE 1 tower position , restart the engine & adjust the timing

[71340RT]

the small block rotates clockwise so you need to move the wires COUNTERCLOCKWISE  1 position , ththen rotate the dist CLOCKWISE 1 tower position , restart the engine & adjust the timing

I had to do the same thing to my Cuda to get the timing set right!

[dodge freak 2]

But he saids the vacuum can hits the fire wall, mine used to be on the pass. side.

Pictures really help out

[burrpenick]

My advance was bumping into the back of the Edlebrock intake.  I plan to move the wires counter clockwise and then twist the dist clockwise and see if I can get to 5 btdc like that.  By the way, what is the recommendation timing mark on a mild 360 that will run on 87 regular octane fuel.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

My advance was bumping into the back of the Edlebrock intake.  I plan to move the wires counter clockwise and then twist the dist clockwise and see if I can get to 5 btdc like that.  By the way, what is the recommendation timing mark on a mild 360 that will run on 87 regular octane fuel.

George,

  What is the compression ratio of your engine? Unless you have 8 or 8.5, that baby will ping with 87 octane. Your timing will probably be at 10-14* BTDC. I think we all probably run 93 octane or better.



  Mike

[dodge freak 2]

Hmm, I have 160 psi cranking compression-its a rebuilt 318 cast pistons with valve reliefs and 360 H.S. heads with 63cc chambers and I run 87 gas in it. Did not notice any difference between 93, it burns way too much so 20 cent a gallon adds  up.

Guess I am the odd man out here, run a heated intake all year round with no problems. Run my car in cold weather as long as the streets are dry and salt free and now I am the guy running 87 gas...believe 3.91 gears does help the motor not too lug-which can cause pinging.

I would worry more about total timing, do a search, its been talked about before, shoot for 36 degress, maybe 34, best to play it safe.   

[burrpenick]

Those were great instructions....exactly what I needed. After moving the wires one space counterclockwise and twisting the disributor clockwise one space the motor fired immediately and ran smoothly. The timing was 8 BTDC and I left it there.
The compression is probably around 9 to 1. I don't drive it often and have been using a little +104 Octane boost.
I hooked up some real brake booster vacuum line (instead of fuel line) to the booster and the brake pedal seems to be returning as it should. I also lubed up the pivots on the pedal, so that may have helped as well.
Now its down to grounding the motor and adding a PCV valve.

Thanks to all that have assisted me through this process!

George

 

[Chryco Psycho]

You are Welcome