I'm used to working on Chevrolets and #1 plug wire is the tower just left of the distributor window. The window on my 394 Olds distributor is pointed towards the passenger fender. # 1 plug wire is 3 towers to the right of where # 1 is on a Chevrolet. I just bought this car not running and now I have it running and it runs very poorly ( rough idle, not much power) but it starts right up. Is the distributor window pointed in the right direction and where should # 1 plug wire be???
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

First of all do you know that the distributor on an Olds turns opposite direction of a Chevy? The number 1 plug on a 324 (similar engine) is driver side front plug but it can be anywhere as long as it is on the TDC on the compression stroke and the rotor is pointing at that wire. Have you run the wires as it is cast on the intake manifold 1 8 7 3 6 5 4 2 ...Tedd

 

Based on your description mine is in properly, # 1 plug wire drivers side front tower. All other wires are in accordance with intake firing order. I guess I'll have to look elsewhere for my problem (faulty wires, fouled plugs). Dwell is set at 30 degrees.

 

Whats your timing set to?

 

I'm not sure exactly. Right now it's in the middle of too advanced and too retarded.

 

As Tedd says- distributor rotation on Olds is opposite direction from Chevy, so make sure the plug wires are in correct firing order for counterclockwise distributor rotation.

Also- pay close attention to that firing order. Older Rockets switch #4 and #7 plugs from what we're used to on later GM V8s, and if they're switched on the cap you will have a very poor running engine. The voice of experience speaketh...

 

The firing order is correct. I'm going to put new plugs in Sunday night when I get home. Any suggestions on which spark plugs to get???

 

There is a chance that the harmonic balancer has slipped with in its self(rubber is bad) and your readings are no longer correct. You might check and see if the engine is in fact at TDC or put a wrench(socket) on the balancer and see if there is play when you move it back and forth. Just a thought ...Tedd

 

I just replaced it with a rebuilt balancer from Fusick's. I'm going replace spark plugs tonight.

 

My harmonic balancer (1961 394)has 3 hash marks. What do they represent and what should the timing be set at? Is the distributor counter clock wise to advance?
Thanks

 

You DO have a Service Manual, DON'T you?




5°BTDC low-compression / 7½°BTDC high-compression.


If you don't have one, then you can download one for free right now from WildAboutCars, to use while you wait for the paper one you're going to order to be delivered.

- Eric

 

AC44 is the factory replacement plug but if you've done Chevys, you know they also work in Corvettes and other high-performance Chevys- which means NOS are exorbitant $$. The R45S or equivalent will work just fine. It's a little hotter plug which might help with the notorious 394 blowby.

The 44 crosses to Champion RJ12C which I think is still pretty easy to get.

 

Just a shot in the dark but does your vacuum advance hold its vacuum. sometimes the diaphragm develops a leak and will give you grief on a tune up....Tedd

 

Im really having issues with my 62 Starfire. I started with having no spark and jumped voltage to the ignition coil from the battery. That helped, there was finally spark coming from the spark plug. I took the car out for sea trials a couple of times. My last time out the engine just went dead. Took a spark plug out a again and there was no spark. For some reason, I decided to start doing a tune up. Change the ignition coil, still no spark. I took the distributor cap off and turned the key over to make sure rotor was spinning, was this ok to do?? I replaced the rotor and distributor cap. Along with replacing the spark plug wires. Still no spark so I decided jump the ignition coil once again and the car starts but not runs like crap. Could I have the wires set up wrong? I looked at the diagram many times. Number 1 cylinder be front driver side. Corresponding to the distributor cap 1 plug, which is 4 o clock.