225 V6 HEI hitting thermostat housing

I have tried every position possible, even changing the number 1 cylinder position, and the only position it will work is va pointing to the drivers side.

I understand that with an odd fire you NEVER change the #1 cylinder position. If that is the case there are only 2 positions allowed; where it is now and the other position hitting the thermostat housing.

 

You don't move the wires or the distributor cap and body in relation to the rotor or shaft. You move (rotate) the WHOLE distributor (shaft, gear, body, cap, wires) in relation to the engine.

 

Correct which gives me only 2 positions to work with; the one it's in now, not allowing the installation of my ps pump, and 180 degrees out where the va contacts the thermostat housing and will not time properly..... Unless I am totally not understanding what you are saying.

 

I will try this weekend when I have time. Thanks.

 

You are not understanding what I'm saying. If you move the WHOLE distributor, SHAFT, BODY AND ALL, you can place the distributor in as many places as there are teeth on the distributor gear. If you do that, you are NOT changing the relationship between the shaft (distributor rotor) and cap, therefore there is no "2 positions" only. There are as many positions as there are teeth on the gear. The portion of the cap that the tach and electrical connectors hook to should be facing the carburetor and the advance should be facing the cooling fan. Capice?
I have a pic of mine but will have to transfer it to photobucket then link it here.

 

Here is a pic of mine. Clocked like this, which is what Warloch is saying, no interference. You unbolt the distributor hold down, pull distributor up, the WHOLE DISTRIBUTOR, SHAFT, BODY, AND ALL, re-clock to this position, re-install. Most likely the oil pump drive gear will not line up with the distributor so you remove distributor, turn the oil pump drive with a long screwdriver like Warloch said, then reinstall the distributor. It frequently takes some patience and several tries to get everything lined up. This is much easier if you remove the cap but make marks on the distributor body so you know how the cap will be rotated and also marks to keep the rotor clocked with the distributor body.

 

Ok, not trying to be argumentative or difficult but I spun it all the way around when I moved the wires, like I wasn't supposed to, and it still had problems all the way around. Va forward like yours, the hold down screws on the other side of the cap contacted the engine.

Even though I spun this thing every direction with no wires on it a few days ago I am still going to move the drive gear and find a sweet spot.

Thank you for your help.

 

You also need to remove the first bolt for the intake manifold and replace it with a button head bolt. A little grinding may be necessary if the casting is excessive on the corner of the intake manifold.

 

Yes sir, I did that when I first installed the HEI, thanks.

 

Looking at your second pic now from my desktop so I can see them better, all you should need to do is rotate the distributor 90 degrees clockwise. The hold downs will be in pretty much the same location they are now and the connector portion of the cap will be behind the thermostat housing/upper radiator hose just like shown in my pic.

 

Thanks, I will try that this afternoon.

 

I finally had time today to clock this thing where it needed to go. My first problem was I didn't catch the post that Worloch made about turning the notch inside the engine until Nickmil brought it to my attention. Even then it seemed like every position something was in the way.

Nickmil, I tried orienting the way yours is and the fan contacts the va can, not just the nipple the can, and if I continue to turn it more the hold down contacts the engine just like before. So I continued clockwise a little more and found the spot. Hold down screw past the engine and the va tucked just under the coolant hose. It took for ever but it is in, timed correctly, and out of the way of the ps pump.

Nickmil and Worloch, you were both right and thank you for your patience with me. I will be back with more questions because there is a lot to do on this Jeep.

Thanks,
Wes

 

Here is the final position.

 

Guys - thanks for posting. This post will likely help me.

I removed my HEI awhile back, and lost track of the correct position, and the motor wouldn't start, and I needed to reclock it anyway to make room for the adjustable vac advance.

Anyway, I'm sure this post will help me get it going.