Well.......
Did a points to HEI conversion on my '69 Chevelle w/ a 350.
I just can't seem to get the timing right. I have been working on this for a month and am starting to think it can't be done. Everything is brand new, from the distrib to the now second set of wires, (I thought that might have been the problem). Ran 12g wire from the wire block in the firewall, all of this was done right. It was running fine until the conversion, go figure.
Can someone check my work...

1) Found TDC. Did the compression check with my finger on the #1 cylinder,(Did this four times to check my work).

2) Moved the balancer by hand to the 0* TDC on the timing plate.

3) Dropped in the new distrib. and lined the rotor to the #1 wire, plug, cylinder.

4) Hooked everything back up, and can not get the timing to anthing higher then 2* before TDC, (The vacuum advance is in the way).

I have tried to put the distrib in different positions and nothing seems to work.
Any thoughts??
Thanks in advance.
D

It's a common practice to set everything up @ TDC, but motors don't RUN @ TDC, they need some advance to start & run. I'd start at about 10-12 degrees advanced.

Sounds like you need to move the distibuter a few teeth to advance it some more. Don't forget to re-align the oil pump shaft before dropping it in!

Mystery? Distributers aren't built exactly the same when it comes to the orientation of the oil pump shaft slot. Your may be different.

Like Jimmy said, have to move it one tooth. Pick up distributor, once it comes loose rotate about 30* counter clockwise and drop it back in. You can rotate oil pump shaft with big screwdriver so it will line up. Now line up #1 wire with rotor again and give it a try. You'll have enough room now to get about 25* advance max. I'm pretty sure there are 13 teeth on the distributor gear so each gear is about 27*. If that still leaves the vacuum advance in a bad spot rotate the distributor 2 teeth, about 55*.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.
Factory specs aren't working with my set up, which is all stock except for the HEI.
Appreciate the advice.
D

What do you mean by factory specs? I dropped my HEI in with #1 wire between 3 and 4 o'clock position. That puts the connector on the cap at about 3 o'clock position, looking from the front of car. Vacuum advance cannister is at about 7:30. Anyway that gives me plenty of room to adjust the timing, 18* initial.

What wasn't working was doing the compression check, then moving the mark on the wheel to TDC. When I dropped in the Distrb. and got the car to operating temp. I couldn't adjust the timing any more than about 4*Before, vacuum advance got in the way while trying to turn the distrib.
I dropped the distrib at 12* Before, and I have been able to adjust the timing with the engine up to operating temp. to about 14*.
My original owners manual reccomends 6*, doesn't seem ideal.
I will take it out tomorrow to see how it runs.
Thanks for the advice.
D

When it comes to setting timing, it takes a lot more than referring to the factory settings. Try at least 8 degrees advanced, maybe up to 12.

it can be easier to move each plug wire to the next position rather than moving the distributor.

Dennis, throw the book out. Get the car running and advance the distrib until the car pings and keep backing it off until under full throtel with a load, like up a hill in 3rd gear it doesn't ping then back it off a little more.

You have to get the distributor in so you can move it. IE the vacuum advance doesnt hit anything.

Well...
Took the car out today and it idles great, doesn't miss, it ran great for the first 3-5 miles and started to buck. It is almost like once it warms up out on the road it starts to loose power. I was able to make it home by throwing it in neutral when it started to buck (idlses great),and then back in drive.
I was thinking that I may need to advance the timing even more??
I dropped the distrib in at 12*Before, and the timing is set at 12*Before.
Any more thoughts???
I think the next time I will pay a professional.
D

Probably needs more timing.

Took it out again today, after advancing the timing another 4*. Ran great
for the first couple miles and then started to hesitate again. I managed to almost make it home before it stalled out. I waited a couple seconds and the car started right up again. I am starting to think that it may be a fuel issue. The carb is relatively new. Fuel pump seems to be working ok, I checked the filter, looked ok. The fuel line looks old and I will replace that.
What size fuel line would you reccomended for a '69 Chevelle w/ a stock 350?
Thanks.
D

Are you checking timing with the distributor vacuum disconnected? If not, you will be getting not enough advance. Un hook that hose and see what you got.

Yes, I have that line disconnected and plugged.
Dropped the distrib. at around 12*. Set the timing at around 18*.
Car hesitates and just cuts out after a few miles of driving. Does not ping or make any other unusual sounds.
D

Check your rubber fuel line back at the tank to line connection. I had a friend with a Camaro that would run fine for a bit and then it would run out of fuel. The line was shot allowing air to get in.

Thanks. The fuel pump seems to be doing its job. I am going to replace the 5/16" sections of fuel line tomorrow, the section to the fuel pump, and the section from the tank to the hard line. I may also replace the gas cap. It says not vented and appears to be original. I also noticed a couple of rubber lines from the fuel tank going into a plastic piece by the tank.
Not sure what that is....Maybe acts as a vent to assist with gas flow??
D

Replaced all of the 5/16 fuel line, the fuel filter, and a new non vented gas cap. Now I am having a problem even getting the car to start.
Could it be a bad coil in the new HEI cap?
What are the indications of a bad coil?
Thanks in advance.
D