722 Saga Continues - This Episode, The Distributor

[Atilathehun99]

The facts - a 722 w/ the Ford 4 cylinder 1.6 Liter gas engine.
The problem - I can't seem to tighten the distributor down enough to keep it from drifting out of time.
Anyone else had this problem? If so, any solutions or ideas?
Another thing. The book timing calls for 12 before TDC. When I timed it (to ear and running performance, w/out a tach) it seemed to run best at TDC +/- a degree or two. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Mikefromcny]

Maybe a thicker gasket between the distributor housing and block. as far the timing being off, someone probably dropped the distributor in a tooth off.

 

[Cyclone Ranger]

Maybe a thicker gasket between the distributor housing and block. as far the timing being off, someone probably dropped the distributor in a tooth off.

On my Fords, the distributor is held in the block with one bolt and another tightens a ring around the shaft to prevent it from rotating. Make sure both bolts are snug. Regarding your timing, check that the vacuum advance is working. Either with a hand vacuum pump or your mouth, confirm that the diaphragm is not leaking. Then confirm it is functioning by watching the timing marks with a timing light when you plug and unplug the vacuum line into the advance. The manual shows a chart that gives the degrees advance at various RPMs which you can check if you have a timing light with an advance dial.

 

[jerry]

On my Fords, the distributor is held in the block with one bolt and another tightens a ring around the shaft to prevent it from rotating. Make sure both bolts are snug. Regarding your timing, check that the vacuum advance is working. Either with a hand vacuum pump or your mouth, confirm that the diaphragm is not leaking. Then confirm it is functioning by watching the timing marks with a timing light when you plug and unplug the vacuum line into the advance. The manual shows a chart that gives the degrees advance at various RPMs which you can check if you have a timing light with an advance dial.

As Cyclone says tighten both bolts and also be sure the mechanical advance in the bottom of the distributor is free and not rusted tight. The vacuum advance may be hard to find at auto parts stores but I discovered by accident that the one used on a vw jetta is the same so they must be rather generic, I got one from a scrap yard.

 

[antfarmer2]

As Cyclone says tighten both bolts and also be sure the mechanical advance in the bottom of the distributor is free and not rusted tight. The vacuum advance may be hard to find at auto parts stores but I discovered by accident that the one used on a vw jetta is the same so they must be rather generic, I got one from a scrap yard.

Old used threads a bit of blue lock tight has helped in the past