69 225 V6 Hei Installation Help Needed

I gapped the plugs at .060 based on another thread. I currently have the vacuum pointed at the radiator. There is near zero clearance for the hose, though. One bridge at a time.

Tim

 

You'll get it, be patient.

 

Hello Tim,

I also installed an HEI in my 69 CJ V6.

Here is how I did it. First, as you did, I made sure the engine was at TDC. Then, I tried to install the distributor, but it was not aligned with the oil pump drive. I grabbed a long flat blade screwdriver and stuck it in the oil pump slot and rotated it until it lined up and the distributor dropped in. It did take a couple of adjustments.

Worked for me and I hope this helps you. It will be worth it!

Cheers!

 

So I clocked the rotor 150* and tried starting. Nothing. After just thinking about it for a few I think that 150* needs another 180* added to it — 2 rotations of the crankshaft for 1 cycle on the cylinder.

I will try this as well.

Tim

 

Started over.

• Cylinder 1 at TDC
• Timing mark at 0*
• BAT at 5 o’clock
• Vac at 12 o’clock, hose disconnected
• Terminal 1 at 4 o’clock (just before BAT)
• Rotor aligned to terminal 1

Initial run to warm up:


I connected the vac hose and restarted:


Subsequent to this I rotated the distributor counterclockwise to as close to the fan as I could get. Worse. Tried again by rotating clockwise — would not run and/or lots of backfiring. Reset to configuration above — will not start and backfires loudly.

I’m missing something obvious.

Tim

 

Hi Tim,

Are you using the correct distributor cap and rotor for the odd fire engine? They are quite different from the even fire 231 engine.

Just asking...

Gary

 

I purchased the one linked in another thread that was recommended, and asked for confirmation it was the correct one before ordering. The Autoline D2000.

Tim

 

Yes. That’s my concern. The timing light is showing it fire all over the place. First time it was firing with timing mark at top of pulley, then a couple of tries later it was opposite the timing marks. At try #8 it is firing about 10-12* BTDC but is still running rough, and as I noted in post #25 when I attached the vacuum it stuttered and stalled and now it won’t run at all.

I start with it aligned, timing light says it needs adjusting but to rotate I have to turn off the engine. Rotate the distributor then attempt restart — no joy or runs worse.

I have to say, I feel like I’m missing a critical step.

Tim

 

With #1 at TDC, you need to start the dist. into the engine with the rotor button pointing an inch or so to the left of #1 on the cap tower. Dont rotate the crankshaft from TDC. You may have to remove a couple times to get the oil pump shaft and the rotor button to align in the right place.

 

I think I did. When I inserted, to get the rotor aligned to nr 1 terminal I did have to rotate a bit counterclockwise. As it meshed w the gear the rotor moved clockwise. It took a few tries to get it aligned. Any rotation after that was me adjusting the timing by rotating the body.

Tim

 

Put the timing light pick-up on the plug wire near the plug so it wont pick up other plug wires near it. Make sure your initial idle is about 600 or so RPM.

 

More of a question and maybe help. I think I brought the timing mark around to zero but it was on exhaust stroke? Putting the distributor in here is called 180 out? Mine ran but very poorly. Backfired lots. Is this right? Sounds like what is happening here.

 

How about you take the valve cover off and make sure you are on TDC on # 1 by making sure both valves are closed.......

Richard

 

I removed the cover, rotated the crankshaft until I confirmed both valves are closed. Timing mark is at 4* (if I’m reading it right - may be able to move to 0* w valves still closed). Terminal 1 is right where rotor terminal is located (I marked the body of the distributor). I have NOT removed the distributor.



So this tells me everything is inserted properly.

I will remove and reinsert the distributor simply to realign the body and rotor so the vac is not so close to the fan (no room to adjust nor for the hose).

Tim

 

Everything looks like it's in the correct position from the picture. Note, factory HEI V6's have a the vacuum advance port to the side for clearance. See https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-D1366C-Professional-Ignition-Distributor/dp/B000EQVYCS

 

Yours looks just like mine when I first installed. I took fan blade off and engine fired right up, did minor adjustment for timing. Then purchased 1” fan spacer to clear vac advance.
Mark

 

Ok, I maintained the alignment and got the distributor inserted with the rotor aligned to terminal 1.


I then installed the cap and all the wires, ensuring I checked proper wiring 3 times.

Initially nothing. I then rotated the body clockwise about 30* (max aft or clockwise) and retried. Nothing. Rotation of the body is limited by the intake manifold, about a 45* range.

I then rotated it counterclockwise about 15* from the original position (max forward or counterclockwise). I got a couple of cylinders firing, but no idle.

I’m flummoxed.

Tim

 

Been researching for my HEI install. Been looking at pictures and this is what I have come up with placement. If you draw a line where the head meets the block and run it forward it will it # 5 plug location.



Have you looked up inside your distributor to make sure it is a odd-fire? Look at the points.

 

Show us a picture of the inside of the dist cap. There are 2 different ones.