AirtekHVAC

On the 82 five speed....

Pulled the distributor.

Putting it back in, and resetting timing...

Do I set the balancer on TD, with #1 at TDC, and insert the rotor to point directly at #1 , or do I set it differently?


To originally get the car running, I pulled the distributor and backed it off some teeth so it was pointing before #1....

I just want to make sure I do it right.

Thanks!

Mrmerlin

set the crank to TDC,
the cams will also be at TDC, verify that you have the pointers lined up on the cams.

The distributor will have the leading edge of the rotor lined up with the hash mark on the distributor body.


NOTE, this picture is to display the hash mark on the distributor body the rotor cut is about 180 degrees away from the hash mark

AirtekHVAC

Got it!

Thank you Stan!

AirtekHVAC

Ok, put it together with new plugs,

Started right up, idling very low, but running smooth without any miss....but.....

As soon as I try to give it any throttle, it sputters and backfires. If I disconnect the vacuum advance hose and plug it, I can rev it to redline, with no backfire, miss, stumble, or anything....

Any ideas?

I am back to what I thought from the very beginning, the timing belt might have skipped a tooth. I guess I am overdue to pull the covers off, set it to TDC, and see if all the marks line up. I have a new belt and water pump ready to go...

Mrmerlin

Umm loosen the bolt on the distributor clamp and turn the distributor about 1/8 of and inch either direction.
you will be advancing the timing (probably whats needed) when you note an idle increase.

NOTE a timing light is necessary to correctly set the timing

z driver 88t

Also its possible the distributor is off one tooth. Check it with a timing light and see if you're getting proper advance. Not sure of the '82. I just had this issue getting my '84 back together. It was idling poorly, sputter etc. Tried putting the engine at 3000 rpm and set timing (20 degrees advance with the vacuum disconnected IIRC) and with the distributor clocked fully CCW I could not get to the proper advance. Pulled the distributor and shifted it one tooth CW, set timing, and all was good.

AirtekHVAC

That's exactly what I had to do to get it running originally, same situation as I have now tho', won't run / drive for sheet with the vacuum advance hooked up.

kelanel

Stupid question, but this wound up being the case with mine. Is the vacuum line getting vacuum on idle or throttle? Mine wound up having the idle vacuum line plugged in at idle, and had very similar symptoms until switched.

AirtekHVAC

Vacuum at throttle now... Had that backwards, but got that all sorted a week ago. I am 100% on the correct ports now, per the WSM