Distributor question

Bunser · September 5th, 2008, 03:18 PM

Just wondering, can an Olds 350 engine be coaxed to run well with the distributor one tooth out?(The fellow who put my engine togther claims it isn't one tooth out, but my mechanic friend who has only worked on Olds engines for 40 odd years, is sure it's one tooth out.) Your comments are welcome.The engine will be going back in the car next week but it probably won't see the road till next spring!

z11375ss · September 5th, 2008, 04:13 PM

I say yes. You just have to turn the dist to (what looks like) further to get the correct timing. The motor should run fine but getting to the points might be tough.

Olds64 · September 5th, 2008, 04:17 PM

You might also have a problem with the vacuum advance hitting the manifold or back of the heads.

blobb454 · September 7th, 2008, 11:17 AM

Hey man! I just asked my mechanic the same question. He said you can make the car run 1 tooth off when you advance or retard the timing enough... If you adjust it enough its like moving it ahead or back 1 tooth.

He did recommend that I adjust the distributor the 1 tooth then make the correction to the actual timing.

Good luck!

September 5th, 2008, 03:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bunser Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Great White North. Posts: 50	Distributor question Just wondering, can an Olds 350 engine be coaxed to run well with the distributor one tooth out?(The fellow who put my engine togther claims it isn't one tooth out, but my mechanic friend who has only worked on Olds engines for 40 odd years, is sure it's one tooth out.) Your comments are welcome.The engine will be going back in the car next week but it probably won't see the road till next spring! __________________ 70 W31 in progress (Currently trying to put the innards back together after it was held hostage by a scumbag body shop owner.)

September 5th, 2008, 04:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
z11375ss Senior Moment Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 398	I say yes. You just have to turn the dist to (what looks like) further to get the correct timing. The motor should run fine but getting to the points might be tough. __________________

September 5th, 2008, 04:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	You might also have a problem with the vacuum advance hitting the manifold or back of the heads. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

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September 7th, 2008, 11:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
blobb454 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Lansing MI Posts: 6	Hey man! I just asked my mechanic the same question. He said you can make the car run 1 tooth off when you advance or retard the timing enough... If you adjust it enough its like moving it ahead or back 1 tooth. He did recommend that I adjust the distributor the 1 tooth then make the correction to the actual timing. Good luck!