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Replacing dizzy - super easy question #1067674
09/02/11 07:26 PM 09/02/11 07:26 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
Moparmaniacc Offline OP
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I wanted to upgrade my modified stock dizzy with a MP unit so I could start playing with the total advance. I noted which way the rotor was pointed so I wouldn't drop the new one in 180 degrees out (this is a 400 BB). But the engine wouldn't start, just backfired thru the carb. Obviously the initial timing was wrong. I went back to the old one (which I have a little notch in at the base so I can put it exactly back where it should be) and everything was OK again.

If I put the new dizzy in again, this time ensuring the rotor points to the same wire on the distributor cap as the old setup, will that be close enough to get it started?
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: Moparmaniacc] #1067675
09/02/11 07:35 PM 09/02/11 07:35 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
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Harrisburg, Pa.
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Play it safe and make it simple.....Bump it around until almost at TDC...Then watch{and stop} where the pick-up and reluctor line up{to fire #1}..Yank the old dist....Drop the new one in, line it up and go...You did check the pick-up clearance on the new dist....Did'nt you ???
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: Moparmaniacc] #1067676
09/02/11 07:39 PM 09/02/11 07:39 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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See if the tang on the bottom of the shaft & the rotor location phasing are the same in both dizzys. I would turn timing marks to 10BTDC #1 compression (15 if wild cam) & turn housing till vac adv is in it's general location w magnet lined up dead even w nearest tooth w the rotor at #1 cap terminal

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Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: Moparmaniacc] #1067677
09/02/11 07:45 PM 09/02/11 07:45 PM
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bethlehem pa
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mikemee1331 Offline
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i don't see where you set the air gap..................

Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: mikemee1331] #1067678
09/02/11 07:48 PM 09/02/11 07:48 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
Moparmaniacc Offline OP
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Air gap's OK
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: mikemee1331] #1067679
09/02/11 07:52 PM 09/02/11 07:52 PM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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After you turn the magnet dead even w the tooth/lightly snug the housing then set the gap to .008". No closer as vac adv will shorten that as it is on an eccentric plate

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Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: RapidRobert] #1067680
09/02/11 08:41 PM 09/02/11 08:41 PM
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bethlehem pa
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if none of the above suggestions work it may be that the wire on the pickup are the reverse of what you had. its possible for the car to run (don't ask how i know) but will run like total garbage.
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: mikemee1331] #1067681
09/02/11 09:12 PM 09/02/11 09:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
Moparmaniacc Offline OP
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OK it's running decent now, but the vacuum advance is pointing toward the front of the engine, rather than the driver's side valve cover like usual. Vacuum advance hose wasn't long enough so I ran it without it. Its dark now so I'll mess with it more tomorrow.

With the old distributor, I could not get the motor to ping. I could advance the timing to a certain point and it would be running decent, but if I tried to advance it further to get it to ping, it would start surging and not as much power. At first I used stock advance springs and then I tried replacing the thick spring with a Mr Gasket thin spring, same problem either way. Any ideas what was wrong with that stock unit?
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: Moparmaniacc] #1067682
09/03/11 12:34 AM 09/03/11 12:34 AM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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Quote:

Any ideas what was wrong with that stock unit?

When you take the new one out to reclock it so it's pointing correct & to hookup the vac hose look at them side by side & compare the rotor/tang/pickup phasing. For instance holding both in your hands w the magnets lined up dead even w the same tooth on both are both bottom tangs parallel and are both rotors pointing the same like say 2 o'clock. That only leaves springs/slot length/amt of adv in each of the cans EDIT yes I would replace the heavy spring w long loop on one end & curve will need 2 be dialed in

Last edited by RapidRobert; 09/03/11 10:47 AM.
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Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: RapidRobert] #1067683
09/03/11 11:42 PM 09/03/11 11:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
Moparmaniacc Offline OP
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Thanks Rob, but I'm not sure I understood that. The new MP distributor is in, but vacuum advance is pointing to the front of the engine. How do I reclock it? Or could I just leave it the way it is?

(My question about the old stock unit and not being able to get the motor to ping was a separate question).

thnx
John
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: Moparmaniacc] #1067684
09/04/11 12:49 AM 09/04/11 12:49 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 159
Woodward, PA
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75DART440 Offline
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Move all the wires around the cap 1 or 2 holes to reclock. Example: if # 1 wire is at front, disconnect it, turn dizzy to desired clocking, and see which hole #1 needs to be in to still be at front. move wires accordingly.

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Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: 75DART440] #1067685
09/04/11 01:19 AM 09/04/11 01:19 AM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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If you have room 2 turn the housing if need b & it's timed at ~ 10-15 BTDC & it runs good & total (check w vac adv plugged) is 36-38 & it ain't pinging you're good 4 now

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Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: Moparmaniacc] #1067686
09/04/11 08:30 AM 09/04/11 08:30 AM
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bethlehem pa
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mikemee1331 Offline
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by any chance did the oil pump drive get moved when you pulled the dizzy? did the gear pull out along with the dizzy?
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: mikemee1331] #1067687
09/04/11 11:02 AM 09/04/11 11:02 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
Moparmaniacc Offline OP
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No, I didn't turn the engine over while the dist. was out. And the gear didn't come out. (Big blocks have slot, small blocks have gear?)

I like the idea of just moving the wires, I think I'll do that.
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: Moparmaniacc] #1067688
09/04/11 11:44 AM 09/04/11 11:44 AM
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chicagoland,usa
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Both big and small blocks use the gear-shaft deal, but are different actual parts, turn in opposite directions. Sounds like you can move the wires over at least 2 positions clockwise, then turn distrib counterclock, so that is closer to where it should be pointing, towards drivers side of car.

Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: Moparmaniacc] #1067689
09/04/11 11:47 AM 09/04/11 11:47 AM
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bethlehem pa
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mikemee1331 Offline
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Quote:

No, I didn't turn the engine over while the dist. was out. And the gear didn't come out. (Big blocks have slot, small blocks have gear?)

I like the idea of just moving the wires, I think I'll do that.

only suggested it cause the last time i pulled my dizzy it pulled the drive shaft up enough for the gear to jump a couple of teeth which totally threw off my timing (or wire position, which ever way you want to look at it)

Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: mikemee1331] #1067690
09/04/11 11:59 AM 09/04/11 11:59 AM
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Lincoln Nebraska
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RapidRobert Offline
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grab fan belt & turn it a bit (either way) till the magnet is lined up dead even w the nearest tooth then move the housing CCW till the magnet lines up w a tooth 2 teeth over then shift the wires back CW 2 terminals. This'll keep your timing near where it was so it'll start easy

Last edited by RapidRobert; 09/04/11 12:00 PM.
live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth
Re: Replacing dizzy - super easy question [Re: mikemee1331] #1067691
09/04/11 12:00 PM 09/04/11 12:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
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Ontario, Canada
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Quote:

Quote:

No, I didn't turn the engine over while the dist. was out. And the gear didn't come out. (Big blocks have slot, small blocks have gear?)

I like the idea of just moving the wires, I think I'll do that.

only suggested it cause the last time i pulled my dizzy it pulled the drive shaft up enough for the gear to jump a couple of teeth which totally threw off my timing (or wire position, which ever way you want to look at it)





happens all the time and that is what my bet would be!

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