8BA Bubba distributor install

S

sammy

Junior Member
I have Jim Linders chevy conversion:

I understand I need to washer (shim) the under side of the hold down
BUT by how much ? This will dictate the insertion depth I guess ?

Anyway, I just slid the new distributor in all the way firm and the gap under hold down bracket is about 3/16" thus I added a washer to take up the space. I am probably over thinking this.
Am I good to go ?
ALSO, the rotor needs to point towards the #1 cyl post as I understand
should it also ride up on the dist cam opening the points (firing position #1)and then insert the new distributor.

Please steer me in the right direction Thank-You ........
 
Guy one of the issues we have seen over the years ( after 650 plus units shipped) is that the pad on the cylinder head does vary somewhat.
In actuality the distributor locates on the upper lip in the timing cover, and as all blocks, heads etc are not the same due to parts changing etc we suggest in our instruction sheet to replace the mounting bolt with a stud, then slip distributor in cover and feel it seat inside the cover or the pad ( which ever comes first), check this clearance ( may not be any clearance but may need a shim) if clearance is observed , remove distributor and place a flatwasher on stud to maintain level clamping force .
Now lets try to help sammy install on number one cylinder and fire er up....
 
Last edited:
I just knew someone would jump in here and do this for me , but i guess not !!:eek::)

Many techs over the years have had a problem installing a new distributor after a rebuild etc , its not that hard just something many guys dont wish to tackle ...:eek:
so here goes as simple as i can make it..........

Rotate the engine until engine is positioned on TDC Compression stroke , number one cylinder. This can be a little tricky but pull the number one spark plug and bump starter until compression is felt on thumb when placed on # one spark plug hole. Watch the timing marks on front cover ( hopefully you have cleaned and found this mark , bb, or pointer.)watch this marks location when compression is felt on thumb and finsih turning engine over by hand untill the mark on the pulley is lined up with timing cover pointer. Once compression is felt and marks are lined up the engine should be on TDC ( top dead center compression stroke). ( or very close )

Now install distributor in timing cover ( with distributor cap removed) and allow the unit to seat in cover . Feel the gears mesh by moving the distributor rotor. Distributor housing should allow aluminum mounting plate to be centered with hold down stud. Verify the gear mesh and observe the clearance on mounting plate.
Next observe the rotor position to cap terminal position. ( note here is that number one can be in any of the eight terminals on the cap based on how you installed it) If you are using existing secondary wires you may wish to place number one in a special location based on plug wire length.
While thinking that the distributor will rotate clockwise you may turn the housing to position the rotor tip just slightly before the number one position on the distributor cap. ( turning the housing will move the cap to align with the rotor tip)

OK now we have the distributor installed, timed with number one location (that we chose), clamped down and the number one spark plug wire in the correct location..........(sound good??????)

Now place the other spark plug wires in correct location using the firing order of 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.

Use Mac Van Pelts pics if needed....http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/...cs/Flathead_Distributor_wiring1946to53all.jpg

Start the engine and use a timing light to final adjust housing position to pointer marks....

Sound OK ????
 
Sammy, you need to STATIC time it first. Put #1 cylinder( front passenger side ) at top dead center by removing the spark plug turning the engine over by hand and using your thumb to detect the compression stroke on that cylinder. When the front pointer lines up with the crank pulley mark, you are within a few degrees. Put the distributor in with the rotor pointing to the #1 position on the cap. With everything assembled, but the clamping bolt loose, turn on the ignition, and gently move the distributor body back and forth to where you find #1 plug sparking. #1 plug connected to the ignition wire and plug laying on the head. Clamp the distributor down, and you are now close enough to start the engine. Follow up with your timing light to fine tune your timing.

Bubba, you type a lot faster than I do. Oops, I thought you were going to let someone else do that part.
 
This is wiring diagram
 

Attachments

  • flathead wiring.jpg
    flathead wiring.jpg
    99.2 KB · Views: 143
Hi,

thanks for the brief instructions how to install the distributor. I had gone through Bubbas instruction and nothing happened.
Compression on all cylinders: Ok
TDC on #1 cyl.: ok
Firing order: ok
Fuel: ok (fuel runs via gravity from spare canister to carb)
Battery: 12 V ok

I had installed Flame Thrower (40,000 V3 Ohm) Coil, new Stromberg 97, Bubbas 12 V electronic (french flathead), Champion RC12Yc sparks, Edelbrock 1115 heads


Any idea whats wrong?
 
do you have power going to the + side of the coil with the key on?
number one is on the passenger side front. number 5 is on driver side front. when you have it on no. 1 tdc compression stroke. remove the cap and see if the rotor is pointing to no.1 plug wire. I suppose it is possible to have a bad cond. but not very likely. keep us posted
 
Another thought, did you connect the dist wire to the coil -? it is easy to forget these little things. ask me how I know...
 
jdl said:
do you have power going to the + side of the coil with the key on?
number one is on the passenger side front. number 5 is on driver side front. when you have it on no. 1 tdc compression stroke. remove the cap and see if the rotor is pointing to no.1 plug wire. I suppose it is possible to have a bad cond. but not very likely. keep us posted
Click to expand...

A yes in all points
 
jdl said:
Another thought, did you connect the dist wire to the coil -? it is easy to forget these little things. ask me how I know...
Click to expand...

No

The only thing that the engine did was a short back firing through the carb. A little cloud of smoke came out of the carb. That was on friday and on saturday nothing.
 
I bought Bubba's electronic setup for my 8BA and somehow had gotten 180 degrees off on my initial install. As soon as I heard a backfire, I knew immediately what was going on. I spun the motor 180 degrees, reinstalled and she fired right up. I used a timing light to set it at 4 degrees initial and, although it's not been on the road yet, it fires easily and seems to run great.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top