1970 Catalina New Distributor (Need Help)

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Big Kat

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I am changing the old distributor it has the points. I am changing it to an electonic ignition with New MSD ready to use Distributor with a set of new 8.5mm MSD wire set and a new MSD Coil. Question when I change the distributor do I need to time the car after charnging it? Is there anything I need to look for before I pull the old distributor out?
 
You should place the engine on TDC #1. Remove the distributor cap and note exactly where the rotor is pointing. Also note exactly where the vacuum advance is pointing. As you pull the distributor out the rotor will turn, again note where it points. As you install the new distributor point the new rotor to the last location you noted on the old one and when it drops fully in it should point to the same spot as the original. Turn the body of the new one so that it sits the same way as the original. It should start and then you will have to reset the timing. No instructions with the new one?
 
melsg5 said:
You should place the engine on TDC #1. Remove the distributor cap and note exactly where the rotor is pointing. Also note exactly where the vacuum advance is pointing. As you pull the distributor out the rotor will turn, again note where it points. As you install the new distributor point the new rotor to the last location you noted on the old one and when it drops fully in it should point to the same spot as the original. Turn the body of the new one so that it sits the same way as the original. It should start and then you will have to reset the timing. No instructions with the new one?
Click to expand...

I order the parts from Summitt Racing. Part numbers are as follows.
Distributor Summit Racing part # MSD-8528
Ignition Coil Summitt Racing part #MSD-8202
Spark Plug Wires Summit Racing part # MSD-35379

The parts should be here today. Hopefully it will have instructions. How do I place the engine on TDC #1? DO you happent to know how they fire. do they go in sequence like 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or something like 1,4,2,5,3,7,8. Aslo when you are standing in front of the car which one is number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 I worked on newer cars but never on an old school car. I just want to make sure I do this right.

Thank you I appriciate the help. I am still trying to learn how to post pictures. Im almost there, I found image shack so I am in the process of mastering how to post them.
 
Sounds to me like it would be a really good idea for you to find a good service manual for the car if they are available. I assume that since you've ordered a new distributor, you know which engine you have. You should be able to find the firing order with a Google search.

Follow Mel's advice carefully, he knows what he's talking about.

You can find a service manual on Ebay;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Pontiac-Catalina-Tempest-GTO-Mechanic-Workshop-Service-Repair-Manual-CD-OEM-/400443680779?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
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Kevlar said:
Sounds to me like it would be a really good idea for you to find a good service manual for the car if they are available. I assume that since you've ordered a new distributor, you know which engine you have. You should be able to find the firing order with a Google search.

Follow Mel's advice carefully, he knows what he's talking about.

You can find a service manual on Ebay;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-Pontiac-Catalina-Tempest-GTO-Mechanic-Workshop-Service-Repair-Manual-CD-OEM-/400443680779?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
Click to expand...

The motor is a 455. I'm still trying to figure out what tyranny it has. It's the original motor and tranny. Thank you for your help I really appreciate it
 
Wow Kevlar that boxrench.net website is extremley helpful. How do I put the engine on TDC # 1?
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Just an FYI. Anytime a link is posted in a thread it has to be moderated first by me. I'm not on here 24/7 so it could be a number of hours before I approve a post with a link. The end result is people tend to multi post thinking there original didnt make it.
 
To put the engine on #1 TDC.
1. Note where the spark plug wire from the #1 cylinder, drivers side front, plugs into the distributor cap and remove the cap.
2. Either bump the engine over slowly with the starter or put socket/wrench on the crankshaft bolt and turn clockwise until the timing mark on the damper lines up with the zero on the timing cover degree tab. If the distributor rotor is pointing to the location of the number 1 wire you are at TDC #1.
3. If the rotor is pointing in the opposite direction you are on TDC #6, turn the crank another full turn.
4. This process may be easier if you remove all the spark plugs
 
melsg5 said:
Just an FYI. Anytime a link is posted in a thread it has to be moderated first by me. I'm not on here 24/7 so it could be a number of hours before I approve a post with a link. The end result is people tend to multi post thinking there original didnt make it.
Click to expand...

Ok, sorry I was not aware of that. I was wondering why I kept posting and nothing was showing up. Lol.. I tought there was something wrong with my computer.:D
 
melsg5 said:
To put the engine on #1 TDC.
1. Note where the spark plug wire from the #1 cylinder, drivers side front, plugs into the distributor cap and remove the cap.
2. Either bump the engine over slowly with the starter or put socket/wrench on the crankshaft bolt and turn clockwise until the timing mark on the damper lines up with the zero on the timing cover degree tab. If the distributor rotor is pointing to the location of the number 1 wire you are at TDC #1.
3. If the rotor is pointing in the opposite direction you are on TDC #6, turn the crank another full turn.
4. This process may be easier if you remove all the spark plugs
Click to expand...

Got it! Piece of cake now... Thank you I appriciate all the help.
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Beautiful car, love the color.
 
Thank you for the complement. I will take better pictures. For some reason they came out really big. I checked my camera and it wasn't on zoom.
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On my computer it starts big and when the image completes it shrank to a "normal" size.
 
OK I got all the parts. I will try to install over the weekend. The wife has me doing other things. Women!! cant live with them, cant live without them. Were screwed!! Lol!! She wants me to put new tile in the kitchen.... Jeez!
 
ha,ha,ha,ha. Aint that the truth, ok so I worked most of the day and most of the night on the tile almost done, need to grout it and seal it. I want to work on the car this weekend so I am really trying to make the wife happy. I finally master picture posting. Woooo Whooo!

 
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