I have been running my new 440 for a while but one thing that annoys me is the hold downs for the distributor cap and the vacuum pod are very close to the valve cover and make retarding the timing less than 21º initial very diffcult. Some how I screwed this up when we first got the motor running. I originally set the motor to TDC, the distr. gear parallel with the cam and the rotor at #1.

What is the proper procedure for resetting the distributor so the vacuum pod and cap are more in the middle the the range of movement??

move the intermeidate shaft.........

w the cap off, hand turn the crank w a 1&1/4" socket/breaker bar until a reluctor blade is lined up w the magnet. Then turn the housing (in the direction you need to) until the magnet is lined up w the next reluctor blade then shift the wires 1 position and fire it up & time it.

hi
rotateing the plug wires 1 space counter clockwise then reset timing by rotateing dist counter clockwise same ammount .
or if this is wrong direction go clockwise !

not sure where you are tight ?

turn the dist housing CW to free up the can then shift each wire back CCW 1 position as the rotor is still back in the CCW position and you need it's (orig) wire back on top of it. Ideally you want the wires/terminals in the oe position (#1 slightly to the front pass side) and shifting the inter gear MAY be needed but do the above 1st and start w the reluctor blades lined up so your timing will be very close.

My #1 is currently slightly to the front drivers side. So its unlikely I will be able to achieve the OE position.

IF STOCK DIST... the dist/oil shaft must be with the notch parallel ( or really close ) with camshaft when TDC. That will give you vacuum pod pointing out to battery.

That will give you number one pointing out to rear alt bracket

If MP unit ( mallory built )... the notch must be AROUND 70-90º OFF at TDC

That will keep the number one pointing out to rear alt bracket as any stock dist...

Dunno the rest of distributors