How do I install my distributor and set my timing on my chevy 305?

Question

I recently rebuilt my chevy 305 tbi in my silverado. I made the mistake of not marking the distributor before i pulled it and now i don't know how it should be put back in. I know i have to have the 1st cylinder at tdc (atleast that's what i've been told) but i can't seem to find any markings on the distributor or the intake manifold to help me reinstall it. Also, I realize I'm going to need to use a timing light to get it adjusted right, but doesn't the engine have to be somewhat running to do this? Last question: In the very likely event that I can't get the distributor in right and it's a lost cause, do you know what it will cost (roundabout #) to have this done for me? Any help would be great. The more details the better!

Answer 1

Ouch. You will need to take the timing cover off, which takes some work, pulling the hamonic balancer and water pump. The cam gear and the crank gear will have a mark on it. Bump the engine until the cam and crank marks are together (crank mark up and cam mark down). Then install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing to fire plug #1. This will be TDC. You may have to put a long screwdriver down the distributor hole to line up the slot on the oil pump rod with the pin in the bottom of the distributor. I don't know of an easier way of doing it.

Addition: After you have the distributor back in, the water pump and timing cover sealed up, put the balancer back on. Then yes you will have to fire the engine to set the timing. It's few hours worth of work to do this, but it's the only way I know.

Addition 2: If you haven't moved the oil pump shaft and feel that it's in the same position, try Jesse's answer before you rip the engine apart. If the shaft hasn't moved, you can luck out that way, which I hope you do, because my way is a fall back pain in the *** method. Most likely that method will work.

Answer 2

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Think the ticking noise you hear is the spark jumping. Make sure the wires are pushed all the way on the plugs. Check that the distributor is installed correctly: 1. Remove #1 plug (driver's front). 2. Place a remote starter switch to the starter solenoid. (One clip on the battery lead & one on the small post closet to the engine block) 3. Place your finger in the #1 sparkplug hole. 4. Bump the engine over until compression blows on your finger. 5. Align the timing marks @ TDC on the harmonic balancer. 6. Remove the distributor cap. The rotor should be pointing @ #1 spark plug wire. If you look @ the cap, it to the right of the 3 wire plug from the distributor to the cap. If it's not loosen the retainer @ the base of the distributor & slide back far enough to remove the distributor. When you reinstall the distributor apply slight downward pressure & turn the engine with the remote starter until the distributor aligns with the oil pump. Repeat steps 1 through 5 7. Check the firing order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 rotor turns clockwise. The numbers are stamped in the plastic plug wire that clips onto the coil on the cap. 8. Set timing to 8º BTDC Good Luck. . . »»»

Answer 3

Janelle is wrong-dot to dot at the timing gears are top dead center (firing) on #6 cyl. Do as some of the others say and just crank the engine to find compression at #1(finger in sparkplug hole for feel of it) and align the balancer mark up to the indicater tdc. With the distributor in hand-(vacuum advance in your left hand at about the 9 o,clock position and the rotor at the 3:30 o'clock position) insert the distributor into the opening and drop it down. It will enguage the camshaft gear with a minor twisting of the rotor shaft and will drop lower as the rotor shaft enguages.If the housing does not fully seat(on the intake manifold) then the oil pump slot has to be turned to match the distributor shaft protrusion as the distributor slides down. This can take time and the ideal orientation is the rotor pointing to 5:30 o'clock position and the vacuum advance near the 9-10 o'clock position.

Answer 4

it easy brother, you said you know your #1 cylinder is at tdc
yes . OK then loosen your distributor bolt so you can move your distributor back and forth, now then on the top of your distributor cap find the mark . it is a #1 marked on it . make sure it aligns with your rotor . if it is not try to get it as close as you can , now then reinstall your distributor cap and hold your #1 plug wire about a 1/4 inch from a good ground source , now turn your ignition key on but DO NOT crank the engine
, now then slowly turn your distributor until you hear a click or see the spark coming from the wire in between the wire and
the good ground source .try a couple of times . you will get it . once you get the spark hold it in place and tight the holding bolt on your distributor.turn your ignition off and reinstall your wire on your plug , and voila you are all set you don't even need an timing light . good luck . it works every time .just make sure your # 1 cylinder is at TDC. and your rotor is align with the mark on the distributor cap

Answer 5

Jessie's right on the money.
A very easy way to find tdc.. Remove the valve cover on the side closest to the left front wheel. If you have solid lifters both intake and exhaust rocker arms will be in the closed position. If not, spin the oil pump with a tool avalable at any auto parts store till the hydraulic lifters pump up. Number one cylinder (left front) rocker arms will be in the closed position. check the timing mark on the dampener it should be at 0 degrees. drop your distributor in. If it will not drop all the way to the intake manifold do either of two things:

#1.Remove the distributor and line up the center groove of the oil pump with a long screwdriver till the distributor drops all the way in. Clamp it down start it and time the motor with the vacuum advance disconnected.

#2. If the distributor does not drop all the way down have someone firmly hold it and you just bump the starter. The distributer will fall into place.

I wish you would have said if your distributer did or did not have a vacuum advance mechanism.

Answer 6

Remome no. 1 spark plug , bump the engine while someone watches the timing marks and holds their finger over the plug hole. When compresion forces air out of no. 1 cylinder. finish rotating the engine so that the timing mark on the balancer aligns with 0 on the timing scale. With the timing mark aligned, now install the distributor so that the rotor points straight forward. This is not exact, but it will get you in the "ball park", enough to start it. It may be neccesary to remove the distributor to adjust it 1 notch to be able to set your timing exact , however this should get it started.

Answer 7

With the motor on TDC, there will be a mark on the hamonic balancer for TDC, put the distrib in so that the rotor tab faces the #1 piston or spark plug. If it won't run run then you are 180* out. That means you pull the distrib out on TDC when the tab faces away from #1, and put it back in facing #1. Thats about all there is to it. Good luck!

Answer 8

wish i had of seen this 8 years ago--some crazy answers--number one cylinder bring piston up on compression stroke-next distributor in hand with rotor button.on-point the rotor button to number one cylinder.have vacuum advance-to the left-so when you now drop the distributor down in to the motor.it will be in a place.where it want hit anything.when you move it.to time the engine..on the cap-put your number one wire-in the hole that matches.the back end of the rotor button..then run your other spark plug wires.. if it does not go down.oil pump shaft may be holding it up.turn rotor back and forth.until it drops in..lock it all down and put the timing light to it.set the timing..

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Yes it is a lost cause, you are working on a chevy give it up. Timing or not it will still run horribly.