VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 Distributor install position on 1928 4 cylinder

Going to install my distributor on my 1928 National.
- I have the #1 piston at TDC - both intake and exhaust valves are fully closed (the lifters and push rods are at their lowest position)
- Timing marks on flywheel are visible in the window
- firing order is 1-2-4-3

I know the distributor has to mesh with the timing cam shaft splines and the bottom of distributor has to mate with top of oil pump.

My question is, where does my rotor have to point EXACTLY on top of the distributor?

see attached pix of my distributor

Thanks, Todd

Most distributors I have on 4 cylinders locate the rotor at the notch for the cap. It is my opinion that the factory located it in that position. That positions the number one spark plug wire at the notch. Then be sure that the body can be rotated clockwise 15-20 deg. before the grease cap hits the block. That permits adjustment of enough advance.

Without the pushrods installed, how do you know both valves are closed?

Unless you can see the camshaft lobes you do not know if #1 or #6 is firing.

With a four cylinder I do not think he should worry about it firing on #6.

Oops!

Here's how I installed Lurch's distributor when I rebuilt his engine in 2017: https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/400583/re-resurrecting-a-28-4-banger.html#Post400583

Ray Holland also provides instructions for installing the distributor in his "School is in Session" document. This wonderful book covers his built of a 1928 engine. The document is a PDF that resides in the list of Technical Articles in the Members area off of the VCCA's main club page at vcca.org

Hope this helps. Dean