Dustributor problem. Help please?
 

Okay, my '79 is going into the body shop sometime today (or so I've been told). However, I've hit a bump in the road. I recently swapped my engine out for an '83 as my '79 engine was in rough shape. I decided that I would just use the distributor out of the '79 for time sake. Then after I got it back from the body shop, I would make the switch to electronic ignition. Well, now it isn't firing up. I figured out that it is because in my rush, I didn't even consider that the dizzy has to be lined up correctly for the timing to be on. Is there any way to line it up correctly if it wasn't marked prior to removal? Also, will the dizzy and coils from the '79 work with the alternator and plugs in the '83? Or will I have to do some more swapping? Thanks guys!

the answer should be found in the 1st gen faq's. basically u just bring rotor 1 to TDC, line up the dot on the dizzy gear with the mark cast into the dizzy housing and stick it in.

That's what she said. :leaving:

FerociousP, I see what you did there.

rxtasy3, this helped so much! Thank you! Just in case anyone else has this problem, I took pictures as I did it. Maybe link in FAQ page?

1st Step: Locate the Leading and trailing and leading notches and line the leading notch up with the indicator pin. They may be hard to spot after 20 or 30 years of the engine being used.

http://i.imgur.com/30ZV9.jpg

2nd Step: Locate the raised dimple in the distributor case.

http://i.imgur.com/lsfk2.jpg

3rd Step: Locate the notch on the distributor and align it with the raised dimple on the dizzy case.

http://i.imgur.com/Q7Pvd.jpg

4th Step: Insert the distributor. It may take a little wiggling, but it'll get there.

5th Step: Hook up all the wires.

6th Step: Fire it up!

The mark to line up the gear with is on the distributor itself and not the front cover. When stabbing the dizzy I just try to keep the locking stud in the middle of the adjustable area.

that's the front cover not the dizzy housing.