Installing A New Side Distributor?

How does one install a new distributor on an 8N where the distributor is on the side? Are there any markings where the rotor should be, etc.? The old distributor doesn't work and it may be in the wrong gear.

Thanks.

Larry
 
Larry........would it surprize you to learn the I&T FO-4 manual tells you how to install and static time yer 5-nipple sidemount dizzy?

Wrong gear? I doubt that. Since the 5-nipple dizzy is rotatable 360*, all it takes is to set the timing mark behind the tear-drop flywheel cover to 4* BTDC. Then rotate yer dizzy with a test lite clipped to the side electrical feed-thru until the lite goes OFF/ON. Sparkies occur when the points OPEN (lite ON) Rotate CCW fer lite ON. Shud be about 10-O'Clock.

Remember, even fer the 5-nipple dizzy, firing order is 1,2,4,3. #1 is closest to the radiator.

Iff'n you remove ALL 4-sparkies, you can rotate the engine crankshaft by pullin' on yer fanbelt standing next to the carbie. Simple, eh?

After you gitter static timed and engine started and warmed up, iff'n you have a timing lite, you can check yer *4-deg idle timing mark thru the tear-drop cover. .......HTH, Dell
 
Can you shed more light on your comment "the distributor doesn't work and "It may be in the wrong gear."? Did someone pull the distributor?
 
(quoted from post at 06:51:38 12/21/14) There is a great article on the other site on how
to do this. Look under the 'How-tos'.

On the other site is pretty vague. How do I find this "other site"?

Never mind...found it.
 

Are you saying that the rotor should be pointing at the 10 a.m. position and then one should place the distributor in the engine? The problem I had was that there is no spark. There is electricity through the coil but then it doesn't go through the distributor to the spark plugs. I replaced the points and condenser so I thought it might be in the distributer so I bought a new one. I want to place the new one in the correct position after I removed the old one. I should have made my question more clear.

Thanks for everyone who tried to explain.

Larry
 
" There is electricity through the coil but then it doesn't go through the distributor to the spark plugs. I replaced the points and condenser so I thought it might be in the distributer so I bought a new one. "

Seriously?

You replaced the entire distributor because it didn't have spark??

Did it ever occur to you to troubleshoot the problem?

The side insulator is the usual cause of no spark on a side distributor. It costs about $3 to replace it. Or maybe a broken copper strip....another $3 part.

My advice to you is to re-install the old one & then troubleshoot the problem. Once you determine that you do not need that new distributor, return it & get your money back.

Remove the #1 spark plug. (removing all of them makes the job a bit easier) Ignition off, place your thumb over the #1 spark plug hole and crank slowly until compression is felt. Continue to crank the engine until you see the timing mark, 0* (top dead center) on the flywheel through the timing hole in the right side of the bell housing. Use chalk on the flywheel to exactly align the 4 degree mark with the pointer. Hold the distributor beside the engine. W/ the distributor oiler at the 7 o’clock position & the stud at 9 o’clock, turn the rotor until it points roughly at the right front head bolt. (close counts) Now insert the distributor. Rotate the distributor housing counter clockwise until the points are closed. Put the cap on & double check the plug wires, 1-2-4-3, CCW. Then, remove the primary wire from the side of the distributor (or at the coil, whichever is easier) Put one lead of your VOM (set on resistance) on the stud on the side of the distributor & the other on the block or other good ground. Slowly turn the distributor. The needle will move as the points close & then open. Find the exact spot just as the points open & then tighten down the distributor.

Now check your work (and the dynamic timing) w/ a light.

If it won't idle below 500 rpm (400 is better) don't bother w/ a light.

If it idles ok, make 3 marks w/ chalk or white paint on the flywheel:

4*
10*
17*

Start the engine.

At idle, the light should flash & the marker should line up exactly at 4* if you did the static timing correctly.

If not, loosen the distributor & turn it until the marks line up. It should take very little adjustment.

Once you've got that done, increase the engine speed to 1200 rpms. The light should flash & the marker should line up w/ the 10* mark. Then, increase the rpms to 2000 & look for the marker to align w/ the 17* mark.

Close counts on the advanced timing. A degree or 2 either way is ok. But, no movement or 5* or more off means you have an advance weight problem. You don't adjust the distributor to fix that.
75 Tips
 
(quoted from post at 16:54:52 12/21/14) " There is electricity through the coil but then it doesn't go through the distributor to the spark plugs. I replaced the points and condenser so I thought it might be in the distributer so I bought a new one. "

Seriously?

You replaced the entire distributor because it didn't have spark??

Did it ever occur to you to troubleshoot the problem?

The side insulator is the usual cause of no spark on a side distributor. It costs about $3 to replace it. Or maybe a broken copper strip....another $3 part.

My advice to you is to re-install the old one & then troubleshoot the problem. Once you determine that you do not need that new distributor, return it & get your money back.

Remove the #1 spark plug. (removing all of them makes the job a bit easier) Ignition off, place your thumb over the #1 spark plug hole and crank slowly until compression is felt. Continue to crank the engine until you see the timing mark, 0* (top dead center) on the flywheel through the timing hole in the right side of the bell housing. Use chalk on the flywheel to exactly align the 4 degree mark with the pointer. Hold the distributor beside the engine. W/ the distributor oiler at the 7 o’clock position & the stud at 9 o’clock, turn the rotor until it points roughly at the right front head bolt. (close counts) Now insert the distributor. Rotate the distributor housing counter clockwise until the points are closed. Put the cap on & double check the plug wires, 1-2-4-3, CCW. Then, remove the primary wire from the side of the distributor (or at the coil, whichever is easier) Put one lead of your VOM (set on resistance) on the stud on the side of the distributor & the other on the block or other good ground. Slowly turn the distributor. The needle will move as the points close & then open. Find the exact spot just as the points open & then tighten down the distributor.

Now check your work (and the dynamic timing) w/ a light.

If it won't idle below 500 rpm (400 is better) don't bother w/ a light.

If it idles ok, make 3 marks w/ chalk or white paint on the flywheel:

4*
10*
17*

Start the engine.

At idle, the light should flash & the marker should line up exactly at 4* if you did the static timing correctly.

If not, loosen the distributor & turn it until the marks line up. It should take very little adjustment.

Once you've got that done, increase the engine speed to 1200 rpms. The light should flash & the marker should line up w/ the 10* mark. Then, increase the rpms to 2000 & look for the marker to align w/ the 17* mark.

Close counts on the advanced timing. A degree or 2 either way is ok. But, no movement or 5* or more off means you have an advance weight problem. You don't adjust the distributor to fix that.
75 Tips

Now, that is a good response. I appreciate the detailed message. I will work on that this week.

I did replace the post but just got tired with messing with it, so bought a new distributor. If I can't figure it out, I will post again.

Thanks to everyone.
 

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