How can you tell the direction of a distributor?
To determine distributor rotation, align your hand with the vacuum advance canister. The direction your fingers curl will reveal the distributor’s direction of rotation. In this case with a Chevy distributor, the rotor spins clockwise.
When to remove cap from Summit HEI distributor?
Once you feel compression building, look for the zero mark on the harmonic balancer to approach the timing tag. We prefer to set the initial timing for most engines at 10 degrees Before Top Dead Center (BTDC). With that set, remove the cap from the distributor. We’re using a Summit HEI distributor.
What to do if distributor rotor is not pointing at number one?
If the rotor is not pointing at Number One, you could twist the distributor body, but if it is off by more than one tooth, this will require turning the distributor body too far. Instead, you will need to remove the distributor and repeat the previous process as the rotor is not in the correct position.
How can I tell the direction of a vacuum advance distributor?
Tech Tip: One quick way to tell on any vacuum advance style distributor is to lay your hand parallel with the vacuum advance canister and then curl your fingers inward toward the middle of the distributor body. The direction your fingers point is the direction of rotor movement.
To determine distributor rotation, align your hand with the vacuum advance canister. The direction your fingers curl will reveal the distributor’s direction of rotation. In this case with a Chevy distributor, the rotor spins clockwise.
If the rotor is not pointing at Number One, you could twist the distributor body, but if it is off by more than one tooth, this will require turning the distributor body too far. Instead, you will need to remove the distributor and repeat the previous process as the rotor is not in the correct position.
Once you feel compression building, look for the zero mark on the harmonic balancer to approach the timing tag. We prefer to set the initial timing for most engines at 10 degrees Before Top Dead Center (BTDC). With that set, remove the cap from the distributor. We’re using a Summit HEI distributor.
Tech Tip: One quick way to tell on any vacuum advance style distributor is to lay your hand parallel with the vacuum advance canister and then curl your fingers inward toward the middle of the distributor body. The direction your fingers point is the direction of rotor movement.