[Jim_66SS]

I thought that the cap should be located on the distributor post just the the right of the caps window should go to the number one cylinder and that the rotor would also be pointing there. Is this true? Was this changed in later years? The reason I ask is the shop that rebuilt my engine has the wire from the distributor cap that goes to the #1 cylinder locate at the post just to the left of the window. This is with looking at the engine from the front of the car. Also I just looked at two 454 from 70 that have never been touched and the distributor post just to the left of the window goes to the #1 cylinder. If anyone has a photo of a restored 66 SB could they please post it here.

 

[AZCamino]

The engine shop did good if the #1 wire goes to the tower between the window and the vacuum canister. The assembly manual shows it this way for both SB and BB.

 

[cherokeepeople]

yup i always put it left of the window

 

[keithb]

yup i always put it left of the window

unless you have the bottom drive gear 180* off

 

[Jim_66SS]

Thanks, what page are you looking at, UPC A2! That’s the one page I was looking at; but I was having a hard time with it?

 

[AZCamino]

Thanks, what page are you looking at, UPC A2! That’s the one page I was looking at; but I was having a hard time with it?

UPC 6 B6. Which A2 are you looking at?

 

[25C 70]

The old Motors manuals show #1 on the left side of the window. I’ve seen shows on tv that say #1 points to #1 cylinder. I’ve never figured out where they come up with that.

 

[Jim_66SS]

I think I have seen the same videos. That’s where my confusion comes from.

 

[Shane 69 Hugger]

Question.

Does it really matter where the cap goes if the rotor is pointing to the correct wire on the cap at the right time?

What I mean is, you drop in the distributor, the rotor could be pointing to the front pass fender, as long as the wires are in correct order, you can just turn the cap until it's all in time.

Now if you wanted to match the factory, you would pull the dist until it points to the factory spot and then turn the cap until it all lines up.

 

[keithb]

Question.

Does it really matter where the cap goes if the rotor is pointing to the correct wire on the cap at the right time?

What I mean is, you drop in the distributor, the rotor could be pointing to the front pass fender, as long as the wires are in correct order, you can just turn the cap until it's all in time.

Now if you wanted to match the factory, you would pull the dist until it points to the factory spot and then turn the cap until it all lines up.

No the bottom of the dist housing a machined area for the cap screws to attach too

 

[chaze]

If the book sez that #1 spark plug wire should be placed on the tower tween the point gap adjustment window and the vacuum canister and you want to be original then you will have to remove the distributor to orient the rotor to point to that tower while the #1 piston is at top dead center.

All references that indicate orienting the rotor to point to the #1 cylinder are for HEI distributors but you can do that on an OEM distributor also if so desired.

The cap is going to fit on the distributor only one way so there is no way to just move the cap around to achieve a desired orientation.

 

[Shane 69 Hugger]

No the bottom of the dist housing a machined area for the cap screws to attach too

Right. But the cap connects to the mount which rotates 360.

I'll explain.

Probably close to 30 years ago I pulled the dist out of my 307. I didn't know the proper location.
I put it back in where the number one was, didn't run right, I turned the cap until it started. Left it that way until it was pointed out by a friend who then made it point to the right spot.
Ran the same.

 

[keithb]

If the lower gear is installed 180* out it will not be in the correct location and cause problems with timing with vacumn advance can and intake runners

 

[Dean]

Question.

Does it really matter where the cap goes if the rotor is pointing to the correct wire on the cap at the right time?

What I mean is, you drop in the distributor, the rotor could be pointing to the front pass fender, as long as the wires are in correct order, you can just turn the cap until it's all in time.

Now if you wanted to match the factory, you would pull the dist until it points to the factory spot and then turn the cap until it all lines up.

The vacuum advance might hit on the firewall

 

[Shane 69 Hugger]

The vacuum advance might hit on the firewall

Could.

 

[Shane 69 Hugger]

If the lower gear is installed 180* out it will not be in the correct location and cause problems with timing with vacumn advance can and intake runners

But then you just turn the cap and the top of the dist and then it would be where it should be. Yes, with the cap in the machined area.

 

[Humberd]

You have a notch in the top of the distributor housing and the cap has a guide to lock it in at the correct location
You can’t just spin the cap and be locked in flush

 

[Shane 69 Hugger]

View attachment 723267 You have a notch in the top of the distributor housing and the cap has a guide to lock it in at the correct location
You can’t just spin the cap and be locked in flush

I already commented that. I know. THE BASE CAN STILL ROTATE 360 WITH THE CAP.

 

[HKalin]

Deleted