How to time replacement electronic distributor 5.7l chevy

[puryersc]

I have just replaced the standard distributor on my four wins liberator 201 with an uprated electronic unit with a built in coil. However I'm struggling to start the engine following the replacement.

I followed the instructions by noting the position of the rotor before removal but no joy. Being neive I assumed I could use tdc from the crank pulley, like a car, to ensure accuracy but the crank pulley had no notable marks. I eventually consulted the manual which said to remove the right hand rocker cover and note when the valves for #1cylinder were closed. Devil of job but done. Position of rotor noted, matching the original position before starting.

New ht leads placed, starting from identified no.1 cylinder but still no luck at starting. I suppose between 2 plug points on the distributor there are 45 degrees so I wonder if the method followed is accurate enough.

Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can make my static timing more accurate?

 

[Don S]

Re: How to time replacement electronic distributor 5.7l chevy

Is that a marine distributor? or just an old Chevy automotive distributor?

 

[puryersc]

Re: How to time replacement electronic distributor 5.7l chevy

It's a replacement marine distributor supplied by AAAMarine, see url: http://www.aaamarine.com/servlet/the-363/chevpromarine,marine,electronic-ignition,distributor,high-performance,fuel-economy,chev,chevy,sbc,mercruiser,volvo,pleasurecraft,omc,hei,discount,sale,pointless,breakerless/Detail

Apparently it kicks out a much bigger spark and does away with the points making life a little easier and hopefully more reliable. Just finding the job a little more difficult than i imagined. I think, currently, i have placed the ht leads on according to the manual and tried the engine (which failed to start) and then rotated the distributor housing by about 20degress to the left (and the right) in case the timing was out. I have even tried moving the wire set one whole position in either direction to no avail. I have put an old spark plug on the end of a lead and turned the engine over. I saw a spark once and then nothing, but then these plugs are old and came out of my TR6 a few years back. Maybe the spark is more than they can cope with but it would be good to see a repeatative spark.

I think my manual turning of the distributor may not have been fine enough, maybe if I went in 5 degree jumps the result would have been better. Any suggestions you have greatfully received.