Distributor install

FlatAddict

FlatAddict

Member
I am assembling my 49' Mercury flathead. My question is when I slide the distributor in so the rotor points at #1 and the hold down ridge is lined up for the tab, where is the #1 point in the Dist cap. It is a new cap on a 6volt system and there is a mark that looks like a 1 on one of the points but doesn't line up with where the rotor is pointing. Confused?? Me too?
 
Put # 1 wire on the one closest to where the rotor lines up . If you find yourself where it needs advancing or retarding and you cant move the distributor around far enough then you can back the wires up or advance the wires on the cap.
 
Where does your cap indicate #1? It should be just right of the bottom of the cap, as you look at it from the passenger side fender. The rotor will turn from where you start as you push it in. Just compensate for how much it will turn by starting that far in the opposite direction. Diagrams available today are incorrect, and show #1 just left of the top position on the cap.
 
See if the cap is marked #1 if not think its to left of clip down bottom.If it runs dont think it out 180.Put the pointer on the timing mark and the dist mid way on timing hold down.# 1 the rotor should be pointing straight down.Then put the wires in order of rotation.
 
First, make sure # 1 piston is at T.D.C.
Then install distibutor so it lines up like in pic.
Then rotate rotor shaft as required to line up with # 1 on cap.
 

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My old Lincoln Mercury Overhaul Manual (8CM) and the 35 to 53 Motors Manual both indicate the #1 fire position to be very near straight down as the guys have stated before. You can rewire a cap any way you want to but that was how they did these from the factory.

You can get the crankshaft to line up with the 4 degree timing mark on every revolution but keep in mind, it has to be on the compression stroke to be ready to fire since the 4 stroke motor takes two revolutions to fire all eight cylinders. As you bring the piston up on #1, put your finger over the spark plug hole and feel for compression.

Kerby
 
So when you install the distributor the rotor should point down in front of #1? I was thinking it pointed at the cylinder. Is the photo from vanpelts I loaded wrong in their position of #1 on the cap?

When I put my distributor in I lined the rotor up like the red arrow. Is this wrong then?
 

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You can pretty much designate #1 wherever you like as long as you follow the correct firing order. That being said, most engines I have seen has #1 in the down position.
 
flatjack9 said:
You can pretty much designate #1 wherever you like as long as you follow the correct firing order. That being said, most engines I have seen has #1 in the down position.
Click to expand...
So do you think I can leave it where it is, then if it doesn't run move the wires back one spot at a time until it does?
 
If it runs ok leave it if you desire, The diagram is incorrect. #1 is at about6 o'clock as in the diagram with yellow terminals on dist,but look close at the second part of drawing with all yellow cap it has #1 at about 12 o'clock which is incorrect.The drawing is only 1/2 correct. Are you confused yet?Every thing "must be viewed" from over the passenger fender.The drawing originator neglected to make both views over fender and numbered correctly.

Ronnie
 
Hope this helps clear it up somewhat.Wire accordingly viewed over passenger fender.

Ronnie
 

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Yeah, that helps. I just went out and reinstalled it according to the picture at TDC and now the rotor lines up with the 1 mark on the cap. Thanks for the help guys, my brain over complicates things!
 
FlatAddict said:
So when you install the distributor the rotor should point down in front of #1? I was thinking it pointed at the cylinder. Is the photo from vanpelts I loaded wrong in their position of #1 on the cap?

When I put my distributor in I lined the rotor up like the red arrow. Is this wrong then?
Click to expand...
Throw that wiring diagram out. This is the complete corrected one.
 

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That hole with the flap is a oil hole, put a few drops of oil in there now and then.
 
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