Mike, Jim,
Your
method works with most engines, like GMs, but will not work with an early Hemi
or Poly. The Mopar distributor shaft has a tab that fits into a slot on the top
of the “distributor lower drive shaft gear” (which drives off the cam). The distributor
rotor on top is fixed in relationship to the shaft tab, and thus to the gear. To
rotate the distributor’s position, the gear must be rotated. If the engine was
worked on or rebuilt, the gear was not properly positioned at assembly.
- Rotate
the crank until # 1 cylinder is at TDC, on the ignition firing cycle. Rotor
should be pointed at plug wire #1.
- Remove
the distributor. Remove the gear.
- Align
the oil pump shaft so that it lines up with the slot in the gear.
- Then
install so that as the gear spirals into position, it will index with the
oil pump shaft and the slot in the top of the drive gear will be parallel
with the centerline of the crankshaft.
- Install
the distributor with the rotor pointing toward the front of the engine.
- Static
time as Mike described: Before you put the cap on, turn
the distributor CCW until the points just open, with the switch on you
should be able to see or hear a spark when they open, this will set the
timing close enough to start the engine.
- The rotor will be pointing at # 1 on the distributor cap.
Reposition the plug wires.
- Start and time the engine.
This will properly position the
distributor so the plug wiring will be as described in your diagram. Also, the
vacuum advance will be located pointing to the RH side of the vehicle. This is useful
if you have a tight clearance between the distributor and the firewall or use
the original all metal original vacuum line.
Dave Homstad
56 Dodge
D500
-----Original
Message-----
From: Forward Look Mopar
Discussion List [mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Mike Apfelbeck
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 6:23
PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Ignition
Wiring & Firing Order '57 Dodge D500
It doesn't
really matter where the wires are located on the cap as long as the rotor is
pointed at the right wire when that cylinder fires. It may confuse the next
person who tunes up the car if the location of the wires doesn't match the
diagram in his tune up manual. If you
want to change it, just crank the engine around until the rotor is pointed at
no. 1 spark plug wire(the timing marks should be lined up on the crank for
later), pull out the distributor and re-install it with the rotor pointed
as desired. Then you can insert the no. 1 wire into the cap, followed by the
rest. Before you put the cap on turn the distributor until the points just
open, with the switch on you should be able to see or hear a spark when they open,
this will set the timing close enough to start the engine. After tightening the
distributor bolt verify that the rotor is still pointed at the no. 1 wire and
you're good to go.
Mike
At 10:51 AM 4/1/2005, Jim Hoekendijk wrote:
Hi All,
My second, recently obtained '57 Dodge D500
wasn't performing very well, so I thought a tune-up would help.
I started with the distributor and besides the fact that all the sprak plug
wires on one side of the engine were completally loose (on all four cylinders!),
I noticed the wiring is not as it is supposed to be. At least, not as far as I
know.
The firing order is O.K. ( 1, 8, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7,
2), but the spark plug wiring on the distributor is rotated three positions
counter clockwise.
To make clear what I mean, I'v attached a scan (hope that's OK) where you can
see the 'normal' situation, it's the same as what you can find on these tune-up
data cards from the era, like Esso's.
My wiring is actually rotated three positions counter clockwise: terminal 1 is
where 5 should be.
Now, it could be that I got the wrong tune-up
data. Wouldn't be so surprising, because the engine was running after all! Only
a little 'rough', and recently hardly at all, but that's not a surprise either,
with all the sprak plug wires hanging loose on one side. (Yes, the car was
parked outside and yes, I've got neighbours..., but, noooo...).
I think it could be possible that the
distributor was removed at one time, and put back on in a wrong way. Not
aligned.
My questions:
- is the ignition wiring correct?
- if not, should I remove the distributor and put ik back on
in the right way (aligned)?
- if so, what's the procedure?
The double breaker distributor IBK-4301A is
correct (for the engines up to engine number KD500-4430)
Looking forward to your reply!
Jim Hoekendijk
Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
'57 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer D500 4dr
'57 Dodge Royal Lancer D500 2dr.
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