5.7 vortec motor retro fitting to Alpha Bell housing and transom mount

[84EdH]

I am finding a clearance problem with my thunderbolt 4 distributor and the shift bracket on the rear of the bell housing. The module built into the thunderbolt distributor body is hitting against the shift plate. I can make a clearance if I use longer bolts and a spacer (about 1 1/4 inch does it) to the bell housing attachment at the top of the bell housing. Has anyone had experience with this? Is there enough clearance behind the shift bracket to clear the power steering apparatus when the engine is mounted?

also, does it matter which direction the distributor is mounted on the engine, as long as the rotor is pointing to the number one plug wire at top dead center? Do the holes (oil holes?) in the distributor shaft have to be in any orientation to the two holes in the block ?

thanks,

Ed

thanks

Ed

 

[dubs283]

Re: 5.7 vortec motor retro fitting to Alpha Bell housing and transom mount

the engine does not care how the distributor is orientated - as long as the firing order is correct and the shaft is aligned with the oil pump driveshaft

get the engine to #1 TDC compression, drop the distributor in how you want it so it aligns and seats properly, where the rotor points is #1, then go from there

 

[84EdH]

Re: 5.7 vortec motor retro fitting to Alpha Bell housing and transom mount

dubs, that sounds good however even orienting the distributor electronic module plug to the side of straight back is tough because the oil pressure sending unit is on one side, the other side it fits, but there is not much space for the module to swing left and right which will be necessary for final timing.....with the engine set as you describe how much distributor body turning will be necessary to get final timing? I mean does it need to turn up to two inches each way, or more like 1/2 inch?

 

[dubs283]

Re: 5.7 vortec motor retro fitting to Alpha Bell housing and transom mount

with the engine set as you describe how much distributor body turning will be necessary to get final timing? I mean does it need to turn up to two inches each way, or more like 1/2 inch?

i don't know, if you get close when dropping the distributor, you should not have to turn much to adjust the final timing, providing you have clearance for dropping at #1 TDC compression AND have enough swing with the distributor for timing

i personally have not done an upgrade from conventional ignition to t-bolt, only upgraded to electronic aftermarket which provides a distributor that is the same size as the conventional one