How do you install 1972 350 distributor?

Answer 1

First you need to find TDC (top dead center) on your #1 cylinder. #1 cylinder on a sbc is the cylinder nearest the front of the vehicle on the drivers side. You need to locate the groove in the harmonic balancer and locate the pointer on the timing chain cover. This pointer should be marked with dashes to indicate the timing. you will more than likely see the following marks... 8,6,4,2,0,2, You want the groove in the balancer to line up with the zero mark. With a 5/8" socket on the crankshaft bolt use a large breaker bar type ratchet to turn the engine clockwise until the groove is at the zero dash mark on the pointer. This indicates TDC. But your not done yet. You need to make sure that you are at TDC of the power stroke and not the exhaust stroke. To do this you want to remove the left side (driverrs side) valve cover. As you turn the engine over with your 5/8 socket you need to watch 2 things... one being the pointer and groove on the balancer the other being the #1 cylinder intake rocker arm. This rocker arm is the second one in from the front. As you see that rocker arm open and then close you should be close to TDC. Once you get there you need to stop. you are now at TDC of the power stroke. If you continue to rotate around a second time you will see that the first rocker arm (exhaust) will open and close, if you then stop at TDC this will be incorrect, you will be at TDC of the exhaust stroke.

Once you are at TDC, its time to install the distributor. Start by removing the cap so you can see the rotor. place the distributor down the hole and you will see the rotor move as the distributor gear comes in contact with the cam gear. When the distributor is fully seated on the intake you want that rotor to be pointing at aprox the #7 intake rocker arm. This is the rocker arm 2nd from the back. Place the cap back on and the #1 spark plug wire should go on the cap terminal that is closest to where that rotor is pointing. If the distributor wont fully seat on the intake, you may need to pull it back out and turn the oil pump drive shaft a bit. To do this you need a long flat head screwdriver that will reach it. Use a flashlight to look in and see about where it is and its depth. Usually this is not necessary. You may need to wiggle the crap out of it, or try positioning the rotor in a different spot before dropping it in. It must seat fully on the intake, if it does not, you can damage the cam and dist gears.