Timing question....I know I know. Sorry

If you have the window for points adjustment, and a big round rotor, that's a Delco. I would not swap a Delco for a Prestolite.

This is the Delco cap - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=532149&cc=1381238&jnid=562&jpid=0
This is the Delco rotor - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=945945&cc=1381238&jnid=563&jpid=0

You need to figure out what is wrong here, not start swapping parts.

Note that your timing light must be on the NUMBER ONE spark plug wire. This is an odd-fire engine and does not fire at 120-120-120-120-120-120. Instead it fires at 90-150-90-150-90-150. So if you are on the wrong wire, it'll never make sense. And, there is a specific location for #1 on the cap, so that you are in-phase with the angle change, If you are out of phase (ie 150-90-150 ...) it will not run right.

What is stopping you from rotating the distributor? Is the vacumm advance canister running into the manifold, or something similar? If so, you likely need to pull the distributor out and reclock it (move it a tooth or two) so that the area you can move it is within range of the timing setting you want.

You need some advice from the V6 guys on how to do this. The odd-fire engine is different, because rotor can only point one of 3 ways when #1 is at TDC. If you get it lined up right, you should be able to turn the distributor through the timing setup you want.

Here's what I would do.

Disconnect all the wires and pull the distributor out of the block.
Make sure you actually have an ODD FIRE distributor (by the number on the distributor or by inspecting the shape of the cam lobe).
Put the engine at #1 TDC.
Identify which tower on the cap needs to be the #1 wire.
Put the distributor in the block so that the rotor is pointing at the #1 tower and you can rotate the distributor to change the timing.
Clamp down the distributor and install the plug wires so that the firing order starting from #1 is right.

 

I just put it at TDC and looked at the rotor contact. It seems to be between 1 and 6. Like right in the middle. I can rotate it but it won't run in that position. Would a tooth off make this happen?

 

I just added a procedure. Check that the distributor is really for an odd fire, and that you are pointing to the proper tower for #1. I expect there is only one workable orientation for the distributor, so that means there is only one location on the cap that will work for #1. If you have it right, The rotor should point directly at the #1 tower at TDC.

Read what I wrote in the previous post and see if it makes sense.

 

Where are the numbers on the distributer and how do I tell by the cam lobes to know it's odd fire. Sorry. This is all new to me. I don't have time tonight to take it out and I need to drive it to get inspected first thing in the morning. I'll be able to work on it tomorrow.

 

This motor had an HEI setup but the PO threw it out and bought this new distributer. He is sure it's an odd fire but who knows. I can tell it had HEI because the small button bolt and grinding for space. He finally admitted when I asked!!!

 

I have to agree with Tim . odd fire distributor . # 1 wire has a specific location on cap . in order to run the oddfire firing order . and engine run smooth . can't comment on location with a delco . mine runs the prestolite .
"I just put it at TDC and looked at the rotor contact. It seems to be between 1 and 6. Like right in the middle. I can rotate it but it won't run in that position". Would a tooth off make this happen?
if you rotate it the other way will it line up with one to the towers on cap . if so . try moving number one wire to that location and other wires according to firing order . the only thing I can think of . unless its wrong distributor
maybe one of the delco guys can post a picture of there delco in jeep with #1 marked

 

Everybody seems to be heading you in the right direction. As said it will run if you are a tooth off but you probably won't be able to get your timing set correctly. A window, yes its a Delco. Can you actually get the allen wrench in to adjust the points? There is a few types of caps that fit but on at least one of them the window is in the wrong place. The lobe on an odd fire at first glance looks like it only has three lobes, well, it does but it fires when the points are opened and again when they close. I've been stuffing them in for over 40 years and don't always get them in right the first try. Yup, wireing has to be done with #one wire in the right place. How are your points, If the wear block is starting to wear, all of a sudden, you are only running on the left bank. Really, The best thing I did on my old high mileage motor was to install a Pertronix unit. No more messing with it on a trail. About six years ago I did all of points etc on the '69. one of the things people forget is distributor cam lube. I haven't had to mess with it since.

 

There should be some 7 digit GM part number somewhere on the distributor, something like 1110376 (picked from here http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1123924&cc=1180448&jnid=436&jpid=1 ).

Thinking about this a little more, you can't get out of phase as long as you are really at TDC for #1 - the rotor is fixed to the cam lobe. So you need to pick an orientation that allows you to rotate through the timing setting you want. Like Ron says, if you can't make the #1 tower line up now, rotate all the wires by one tower and make #6 number become #1. Then rotate the distributor so the rotor is pointing at the new #1. If that does not work,

 

I can rotate it so it lines up with one. Won't run at that spot. Have to advance it really far to make it run. With the timing light the timing Mark is about four inches above zero when it's running the best I can get it. And with it there the rotor is in between 1 tower and 6 tower at TDC. I'm starting the think the PO put the wrong distributer in this thing. Which sucks cus I don't have a ton of money to be buying a new one. Oh well!!!

 

Here is a picture of my cap and orientation. i did the pertronix upgrade when I installed the new cap and wires. I went to napa and they ordered the cap for me and it took a day or two to come in. The crudely marked cable is #1 and the cap is marked sequentially 1-6 counter clockwise. The window is the silver area between #1 and 2. I wish I could be more help but with mine it was trial and error. I didn't use a timing light so I don't know what the timing is actually set at.

 

My cap is on 180 to yours. 1 is by the advance side. Thanks though

 

Now I've been thinking about what some have said about just rotating it and switching the wires. Tell me if I'm overthinking but.....because odd fires fire at 120-90-120etc that wouldn't work. It would be fine on an even fire but with our odd fires you would only have three spots on the cap that would work. So if it is installed wrong with a tooth off or so it will run just real bad. And also explain the really far advance. Again...I may be overthinking and remember I'm new to this and really don't know. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

And I was mistaken. My cap is not 180 to the pic posted. My number 1 is where his number 5 is.

 

Yup. That's how mine is set up. 1 in the front

 

I don't wish to degrade your efforts but once you do it, It's fairly easy to stab one in once you figure it out. You are right, you can't just swap wires around. It's called an odd fire or misfire for a reason. Where are you? If you were close, it's less than a half hour job to get it going right. Good luck and I hope what you have been told or found in a search will help you.

 

Okay distributor number is 1110376 7f1. Can't seem to find it.

 

The "7f1" is irrelevant. The 7-digit GM part number matches what I listed above, so you should be fine on that issue.

 

Got her running on six. Thanks boys. Points weren't hardly opening and the distributer was off a tooth. I'm amazed she even fired at all. One issue down and many more to go and have fun with. Electrical next. Lol. Thanks again for all your help!!!!