Distributor indexing with aftermarket camshaft

[seanyb505]

"You should not need to cut the "ears" to correctly position the distributor unless you've installed an aftermarket camshaft." This was taken from Dr Dyno's page on how to properly index the distributor. What if you do have anaftermarket like many of us do? I cant get the ears to line up just right with the bolt hole on the block, do I need to cut them? I know the rotor needs to be at a specific position, does the distributor casing need to be right at that spot too? I cant get it to start and I feel like it has something to do with this. I need help asap!

[John]

If the window formed by the "ears" and the bolt hole do not line up to drop the bolt into place, on a properly indexed distributor, cut the ears off or open the window by grinding if it is a small amount, I have seen them off just enough to stop the bolt from going in without moving the distributor a small amount, DO NOT MOVE IT, Cut the ears instead.
John

[seanyb505]

Well it isnt starting if I have to move it, but how do I know which ear to grind? I cant get it to fit straight on, just a 1/4 inch clockwise or counter clockwise. Would either direction work?

[Cheromaniac]

Hope my PM's to you via the NAXJA board have helped some.
Firstly, make sure you have the no.1 piston at TDC on the compression stroke before you do anything. You may have the distributor off by ~180*. Then, with the rotor locked to the distributor body, install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing at 5 o'clock when viewed from the passenger side. If an ear of the hold-down tang is in the way of the bolt hole, cut it.

[seanyb505]

See my thread for results viewtopic.php?f=8&t=71&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=90 (It runs now)