VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 Distributor Installation

Have purchased a 1112403 distributor and vacuum advance. Have looked on VCCA for a definitive process for installing the distributor correctly and have found nothing.

Many situations listed for having installed it incorrectly.

Would you kindly give me a step by step method of installing the distributor correctly or point me in the direction of information relating to the above subject?

The engine is painted and components being put back on for installation as soon as it warms up a bit.

Been a good winter project. Thank you.

OK. Depending on whether you have the distributor out or not ...

If not out, start on page 12-35, if already out, go to bottom left side of page 12-36.

BE CERTAIN DISTRIBUTOR IS FULLY SEATED, BEFORE STARTING CAR.

IF DISTRIBUTOR IS NOT FULLY SEATED INTO OIL PUMP. CAR WILL START ...... BUT OIL PUMP WILL NOT BE ENGAGED. NO OIL PRESSURE = NO ENGINE !

Click here.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/12electrical/12_36.HTM

Advise you to buy a GM shop manual for your vehicle, they are out there in reproduction form for $25 or so. Best money you'll ever spend.

Thank you - I have the manual and have read those directions and will follow them.

So often, however, I have found that VCCA folks have little secrets to doing the same job described in the manual. So I always ask for help to supplement what the manual says.

Thank you again!

Personally, I would be concern with a good Startup routine before installing the distributor. You want to insert a regular screwdriver with no handle into the engine block where the distributor goes. Then attach a drill to the shaft of the screwdriver and spin the screwdriver to make sure the oil pump is lubricating the rocker assembly and the oil troughs are filled up on the oil pan. So installing the distributor is one of the last things I would want to do.

I also like to have fluid in my block, and not to wait while the thermostat gets hot and allows fluid past the thermostat.

My eyesight is a problem so I like to gap the points with the distributor held in my bench vise.

Good luck, Mike
P.S. If others don't comment I will tell you how I time my car and set my distributor.

You're welcome and good luck with your swap. You'll like the 235.

Got the distributor in - hope it is right.

Putting carburator on and come up with two extra lines coming from
the fuel pump. Looks like engine had 2 carbs or maybe 3? before I got it.

Ah oh...Might have had three carbs at one time, huh...?

If the vehicle had multiple carbs, the additional fuel lines would NOT have originated from the fuel pump.

Sounds like you have a dual action fuel pump, the pump that has the built in vacuum pump for the wipers. That pump DOES have additional lines, at the pump.

Look at this illustration of the dual action pump.

Observe the 4 port locations ....#4, #21, #16 and #29.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1949_53/06engine/6_089.HTM

I have looked at that illustration. I do have the dual action fuel pump however it does not have the glass top. It has the metal top.

Thank you - remember I am a novice at this at the age of 71. I am feeling my way along. I certainly appreciate all the help as I work through this process.

I have taken lots of time making sure everything I do is done correctly so that I do not have to do it again when I have the engine installed or does not damage to the engine when it is started.

So, I should leave those lines connected? One is connected to port #16 and the other to port #29.

Where are they going to go when the engine is installed?

Thank you for all imput! Art

Going to just remove two of those lines and plug the fuel pump. Need to remember that I am putting the engine into my 47.

'47 still has wipers.

RUBBER HOSE FROM WIPER MOTOR GOES TO METAL TUBING TO INLET (#29) IN VACUUM PUMP.

METAL TUBING FROM OUTLET (#16) ON VACUUM PUMP GOES TO FITTING ON INTAKE MANIFOLD.

OR .... Put on a single action pump, if you like.

Just to add to what Bob said - I'm running a single action fuel pump (Airtex) on my 48 with the wipers hooked up directly to my intake manifold. They work great, but, I've also eliminated the vacuum shifter on my car - it was leaking vacuum bad before I got rid of it.

Regards:
Oldengineer

O.E., you're using an electric pump, on its own or in conjunction with the mechanical pump ?

Thank you - sounds like an improvement to the old 216.

Opps, My bad, I forgot about the dual stage pump...I have a NOS one in the box, but dang there so stuff...