Oldser 1

I replaced the distributor on my 330 brought the #1 to tdc and thought I put the distributor back the way it was facing but im getting no spark can someone either send me a pic or help me out please

Octania

#1 TDC compression/power or exhaust/intake?

Moot point for now if you have -no- spark, fix that first.
Basic troubleshooting
Is there volts at the coil?
Coil (-) connected to distributor?
Distributor making and breaking coil connection to ground?

THEN we get to "is the spark timed right?"

Oldser 1

I have power at the coil and neg is connected how do I tell which stroke the motor is on and the correct position of distributor it has the points in it. Right now I will be converting it to the pertronix system soon

Octania

Well, the time-honored method is to put your finger or thumb on the spark plug hole and bump the starter until you feel the air pressure. Then bring it up to the next TDC alignment. Or you can observe the rockers or lifters, but the engine is usually not dismantled that far.

Do you not have a mentor you can call and ask to come guide you thru this process?

As for the correct position of #1, the manual calls for the rotor to point towards #1 cylinder. In practice you can choose any location you like, as long as the #1 wire goes to where the rotor is pointing when #1 is at TDC compression. And the rest of the wires go in proper order CCW viewed from above around the cap.

Turn engine until pts are closed.
Turn on power to coil. [ign sw on]
place coil lead near intake or some handy ground so you can observe spark.
open pts with a plastic tool or similar.
Every time you open the pts, a spark should be produced.
If not, you need to find out what is failing.

Oldser 1

That makes sense now, its just been about 15 years since ive been involved in mechanics I do have some people I could call I am just trying to be self reliant on this project thanks for the info

oldcutlass

Here's what it should look like, disregard the timing tab picture.

MDchanic

Search is your friend:

Troubleshooting a points ignition

- Eric

joe_padavano

Let's back up. "Replaced" meaning took out and reinstalled the original, or replaced the old with a different one?

Iggyg00

make sure you are not one tooth off on the distributor when installing it back in. The gears have to mesh which moves the rotor and may cause you to be miss aligned from when you took it out.

joe_padavano

If the ignition system is wired correctly, it will make spark no matter where the timing is set. If you really have no spark at all, the problem is NOT caused by the distributor being one (or more) tooth off, it is caused by a wiring or dwell problem. Fix THAT problem first, then figure out if the timing is correct.

Oldser 1

I finally got the motor started, then the starter gear let go, one thing after another but im getting there I only get usually one day every other week to work on her,new starter is in exhaust is back up and before I started it I realized I hooked the wrong wire up to the r terminal so next sat will be the day I finally start her up after 15 year the more I look the more body work I see needs to be fixed but thats ok one step at a time lets just get her drivable this summer. ....

oldcutlass

Wtg, to bad about the starter. Glad it's moving forward.