Distributor/balancer relationship

[MidShark]

When I took the cobbled up intake setup off my '81, I had bumped the distributor around so the rotor pointed to #1 for when I pulled it. I didn't see the timing mark on the balancer, but seeing as how "Bubba" didn't even install a timing pointer when he replaced the timing cover and balancer, I didn't give it much thought.
Well, now the stock intake is installed, and I'm ready to drop the dist. back in. And I've found the timing mark. 180 degrees from where it should be (no, the crank never moved during the process). How can this be? The car ran terribly when I bought it last fall, but I wouldn't even think it would RUN if he had the dist. pointing at #6 instead of #1.
Or, could he have screwed up putting the balancer on? I didn't think you could put a balancer on backwards, or is that not beyond Bubba? Or could he not have the key in the keyway? Or should I just forget all that, find TDC on #1, drop it in and go? I just can't get past the fact that this thing, as it sits, was 180 off! Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Dick

 

[vigman]

Well 180 is as 180 does

Here the deal.. the distributor os nothing more than a big rotary switch... the plug wires car be re sequenced so if the distrib is 1 tooth off ..you can time it... 5 teeth off... move the wires around... and your kosher etc etc.

To UN bubba it.. ( with the engine in the #1 fire position) point the distrib ROTOR twds the #1 hole and sequence the wires correctly.

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
the distributor rotates CLOCKWISE.

Oh yeah.. the timing of the distrib is geared to the cam.. remember the crank has to turn 2 ( edit ) times for the cam to go around 1 time.. this simple concept BLOWS peoples minds.

I assume you did chase the #1 wire to the correct spot.


Vig~

 

[MidShark]

Vig
Yes, I know what you're saying about the plug wires. In fact, I re-sequenced them on my '71 so as not to have such an angle for my tach cable. What throws me here is that the wires were where they were supposed to be (#1 at #1 on the cap). Rotor pointed at #1, but timing mark on the other side of the car! I might just be missing something :duh but I figured if it was maybe something to to with the balancer, now would be the time to straighten it out while the fan, water pump, etc. is off the car.
Thanks, Vig.

Dick

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Re: Well 180 is as 180 does

remember the crank has to turn 4 times for the cam to go around 1 time.. this simple concept BLOWS peoples minds.

Not that weird that it blows peoples minds since the crank turns twice for every cam rotation. The 4 strokes are all done in 2 rotations, intake -> piston travels TDC to BDC (1/2 rotation)
comperession -> piston travels BDC to TDC (1/2 rotation)
expansion -> piston travels TDC to BDC (1/2 rotation)
exhaust -> piston travels BDC to TDC (1/2 rotation)

All this is done in 1 cam rotation,

 

[vigman]

WHOOPS

Well you learn something new every day

Cam gear 44 teeth
Crank gear 22 teeth

2 to 1

Boy.. do I feel STUPID!

Thanks Twinnie

( Woof )

Vig~

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Can't be on top all of the time eh

..'t was just a slight slip of the pen.. errr keyboard

 

[Jack]

It is 2:1 ... but ...
for small block chevy tcs ... cam gear = 36T & crank gear = 18T.
for big block chevy tcs ... cam gear = 38T & crank gear = 19T.

either sbc or BBC ... Distributor turns 1:1 with cam ... cam turns once every two crank revs.
JACK:gap

 

[vigman]

Oh JACK

I beg to differ

I did count the teeth on my gear set..

they were for a 327.. but I would think same ol same ol.


Vig~

 

[Jack]

vig:
AFAIK ... 44 x 22 is unusual configuration for OE sbc. What kind of set is it? single/ double/ hd silent etc? Roller/not? Manufacturer? Even the studebaker 283 runs 36 x 18 ... though the AMC 's ran 46 x 23.

AFAIK ... 36 x 18 is OE ... 44 x 22 is aftermarket roller.
JACK:confused