Distributor nut

[chris212]

Anyone got a tip to gain access to the dizzy nut, to loosen it for timing adjustment? Do you have to unbolt the swirl pot? It's a 4.3 pre cat.Thanks

[davep]

Access is difficult but a 9/16" deep reach ring should do the trick:

https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Stahlwille-Stw...

I tried a dedicated distributor wrench, but couldn't get access on my 4.3:

https://www.ebay.com/bhp/distributor-wrench

Leave yourself plenty of time when adjusting for static.

[Steve_D]

As said swan neck ring spanner.

Note for anyone. The nut is recessed (counterbored) in one end. This end goes downward and allows you to balance the nut on the stud whilst trying to start the thread.

Steve

[chris212]

Tried that but there's not enough swing between the dizzy and the swirl pot?
Ended up using a crows foot and 2 wobble sockets!
There's got to be an easier way?!

[chris212]

The dizzy was turned as far clockwise as possible, so the vacuum advance was tight to the thermostat housing. This made it impossible for access to the dizzy nut as the amplifier was then in the way. I moved all the ht leads one place around, so had to turn the dizzy anti clockwise to get the timing somewhere right.
The trouble is it is nearly all the way it can move anti clockwise, so the amp is tight to the engine. At least I can access the nut now with a spanner!
Does the position of the dizzy sound right?
Just waiting for a dial back light to check the timing.

[BIG DUNC]

On my 4.0 pre cat the ignition amp is orientated so that it is in line with the car, i.e. almost exactly fore & aft.

If you post a picture of yours I can tell you how it differs to mine (ooh, Mrs). Or pm me your e-mail address and I can send you a picture of how mine is.

Edited to add mine is a pre-serp, is yours?

Edited by BIG DUNC on Wednesday 18th July 13:51

[chris212]

It's a pre cat (4.3).
It starts and runs ok but if I need anymore advance I won't be able to turn it anymore.

[BIG DUNC]

Mine is rotated clockwise compared to that, so the amp is further forward.

The vacuum advance, is however, clear of the thermostat housing.

If I were you I would wait until you do the timing before worrying about it. If the strobe says you have to rotate is clockwise then you are OK. If you need to rotate it anticlockwise, then you need to move each plug lead and rotate it back to how it was.

[stevesprint]

Here's a picture of my 4.3 Precat distributor at TDC on 1 and you can see how close the vacuum unit is to the thermostat housing when set to 10° BTDC.


Is your TDC on 1 in the same position?

Steve_D said:

Note for anyone. The nut is recessed (counterbored) in one end. This end goes downward and allows you to balance the nut on the stud whilst trying to start the thread.
Steve

I always install the nut upside down with some thick washers or a spacer underneath to make the nut more accessable with a flat 9/16” spanner.