Brian74n81

I'm about at wits end........installed a new distributor (MSD) in my '81 (non-computer) and for the life of me I can't get the timing set right or get it to run worth a crap. Car sat up for over 9 months now.....

She fired right up after the install, but dang, it runs like crap. I've tried just about everything. Double check plug wires and firing order, ect...

Timing seems to keep changing on me? Idle is totally screwed up, and I've done screwed with it so much I think I'm going in circles.

Anyone around Jackson, MS that can help the helpless? I've got all the tools, timing light, ect........just need someone that knows what the hell they are doing.

I'll have plenty of adult beverages!

reddog76

Almost sounds like you are one tooth off on the distributor. Had that issue with my MSD distributor. Can you see the timing mark with a timing light? The rotor will rotate about 15 degrees to fall in on the gear. Just guessing but that was my problem.
Reddog76

wolfsdad

Could it be something as simple as bad gas? If the car has sat a while the gas will probably have 'gone off'

Also, if you reinstall your old dizzy, will she run any better then? if not, you know its something else to look at...
Good luck.

riggs 74

Have you made sure that when at top dead center, the rotor button is at number one.
It might be possible that you are 180 degrees out of time.

Hope this helps
Riggs.

71coupe454

Turn the crank back and forth while watching the rotor button, see how much slop in the T-chain.

Brian74n81

Gas may well be part of the problem. Added a new 5 gals to it, my carb may be all gummed up.

Doesnt' explain the timing changing, or idle acting weird, or the vac advance not changing the initial timing but maybe 2* when I plugged it in.

I 99% sure the rotor and distrib. are in the right place. Found TDC with #1 plug out, and made dang sure we had the #1 plug wire where the rotor was pointing on the cap.

errrrrr......on the msd ready to run distrib., when looking at the rotor, the brass piece that is longer in one direction is what you point at the #1 on distrib. cap, correct?

69elky

Brian I have a question,may be dumb on my part,so please excuse me.I have a 79,of course no computer but I thought all 81's had computers installed.Thought they were the same style computers used on the 80 California cars?

Brian74n81

They did. Yanked mine along with the carb, distributor, cat system, ect..........and added a new crate motor.

69small block

It sounds to me as you might have it 180 out very easy to do or as some one said one tooth on the gear

Brian74n81

Please explain to me what 180 out means, and how you correct it.

How the heck would it run? I drove it down the street?

One tooth off is a myth, or so I have read.......

Brat

i had some what of the same problem 180 degree out, turn the engine over untill number one piston is at the top, when you drop your distributor back in its should be close to pointing at the number one cylinder , i have seen a car run with the timing 180 out the header were fire red, hope this can help you

Brian74n81

Awe hell............I tried like hell to get the distrib. to drop in that orientation, but it just would not. So, I just marked the tower the rotor was pointing to, and set my plugs wires accordingly.

It's either that, or I'm looking at the wrong end of the rotor brass thing........???

happiedazs

Here's a long shot. The bottom of the distributor shaft MUST slip into a tang that drives the oil pump. Usually you have to screw with it a little to make sure the distributor drops completely down all the way and engages the oil pump correctly. If your distributor is not totally flush with your intake manifold, you haven't got the distrubutor seated correctly.

Brian74n81

Thanks, but it's totally down.........maybe pointed the wrong way, but down.

wombvette

Hey, guys, 180 out and it dont run at all.

Young69Owner

I had mine 180 out (once and never again) and I got fire through the carb. I would imagine others would have the same result. Doesn't the explosion want to go through the intake valve?

Brian74n81

I asked this..........I actually drove down the street a ways, struggling to keep it running..............I'm also thinking a serious vacuum problem. My headlights are acting up, and my wind shield wipers starting work again??????? WTF???

Young69Owner

I think your vacuum will be funny until you get this fixed. Milder street engines generate more vacuum. You may be generating a ton (enough to jump a leak?). Some suggestions:

1) all new fuel (get rid of all old fuel)
2) new coil and or plugs, plug wires
3) do as suggested above and see if your old distributor still works
4) clean/rebuild carb

Brian74n81

400 hp is mild? (I know, it didn't tell ya, sorry). Okay, what next?

Added new fuel.
All my equipment is fairly new including the carb. None of it is stock.

Brian74n81

This one has spit gas out the carb, sent fire out the carb, backfired, and shocked the **** outa me when adjusting the timing..........