I'm retarded

So I finally got around to trying to install the new odd-fire HEI in the Jeep tonite.

Problem is I can't get it timed AT ALL.

I spent about 2.5 hours out there moving plug wires two terminals this way, two terminals that way, rotating the body of the distributor, taking hold downs off the cap so I only have two holding it down now to no avail.

Any way I want to put it in the vacuum advance hits something. The "right" way



like this the vacuum advance hits the fan if I try to advance the timing far enough. I'm still 5* retarded at least.

So I moved everything around two terminals, no dice vacuum advance hits the block. So I moved it two terminals the other way, hits the fan.

I really feel like an idiot right now. What the heck am I doing wrong? Probably something really obvious.

 

Off a tooth?

 

I hate it when my wife is right. R)

Well, she didn't exactly say that but she said enough to put the idea in my head.

At least I have a "good" HEI cap sitting around that I haven't screwed up yet. I can get everything set with this one.

 

i had the same issues Sparky. I was just off a tooth.

 

I wouldn't mess with a woman who owns more power tools than I do... R)

 

The sawsall is mine. The circular saw and who knows how many jig saws and the like OTOH... R)

Thanks Dan. Wish I'd thought of that before it got dark. It definitely ran better than it did with the points dist. in it, even wayyy retarded.

 

What'd ya decide on the oil pump Sparky? You go back to stock?

 

Yes. I'm gonna try stock and keep an eye on the distributor gear. Seemed a lot looser when I set it up. It was a pain in the rear to keep it from falling out, the hi-vol stuck in the cavity nicely.

 

That might be the key to the wear issue...

 

Twas my thought too.

 

Contemplated that too. But it would seem that I'm off a tooth so that's not necessary to do. I'll find out tonite.

 

Side as in out the angled portion and not the end of the unit? I already have that. It hits the whole advance.

I haven't checked it yet to see if I'm off a tooth yet anyway. Once I get it in and running I'm going to buy an adjustable vacuum advance unit anyway.

I'm just trying to get it set up to fine tune it when I get time, until then at least I should be able to drive it.

 

Hacked off a hold down, like I said, I'd hacked off two, but I had a sacrificial cap.

I got it tonite. I was off a tooth. Vacuum advance points where yours does to clear. The power/tach terminal points straight back over the intake. Just need to move the fuel hose, which needs replaced anyway.

Now to get it tuned. I took it out, ran good, plenty of power. Took off, good power, but when I started up a hill on 24 and tried to keep my speed up it backfired and lost a lot of power. Turned off of the hiway, slowed down, was able to floor it again.

Vacuum advance? Something else?

 

Yup. Rich Mott's article states the stock advance on an OF HEI is too sensitive for a 225. That's what I was basing it on.