1954 blue flame

[Don H.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Hi Troy & Eric - i still can't get my head around this. Your picture looks just like what i have and i have crawled under the car to see if something is missing but i can't tell. You mention a clamp around the shaft - would you happen to have a picture of this? My dizzy moves approximately an 1/8 inch in a clockwise direction and when i let go it springs back (anti clockwise) i simply cannot see where something would fit to lock it down, it does not look like i'm missing anything.

Very frustrating!! really appreciate the help guys.

Don

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

The "gizmo"/clamp that we're talking about is called an octane selector. You could fine tune the timing using the hash marks aligning them with the scribe on the engine stamp pad. Here are some pics from a regular old 235 Chevy 6 cylinder. Same set up. Only difference is that the distributor doesn't have a tach drive.

[Don H.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Hi Chuck, thanks for the pics. they have eliminated any guesswork about missing parts! When i tighten the screw closest to the block at the base of the shaft (in your first pic) the distributor still moves approx 1/8 inch maybe a bit more. Is this normal? i wouldn't have thought so.

Thanks

Don

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

When you say "moves", does it rotate clockwise/counterclockwise 1/8" OR can you push it fore/aft/lt/rt (12:00 o'clock to 6:00 o'clock, 3:00 o'clock to 9:00 o'clock) 1/8" ? Chuck

[Don H.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Rotates clockwise/counterclockwise -

[Chuck G.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Rotates clockwise/counterclockwise -

If you look at the vacuum canister, best seen in the second picture, you'll see that it is attached to a plate ABOVE the mounting bolt. (the bolt to the block) The vacuum advance will allow the entire distributor body to rotate counterclockwise. If you rotate it CCW, it should spring back to the initial timing setting. Chuck

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

The movement of your distributor is normal. So that is not the problem. In your first notification of the distributor movement you didn't mention that it springs back. Key info.

Get it running and take it to a mechanic. Tow it if you have to. Sounds like you are not going to be able to do the diagnosis or correction yourself.

[Don H.]

Re: 1954 blue flame

Like i said Troy, i am definitely no mechanic!! i guess i have really proved that now! i really just wanted to educate myself a little more before i hand the car over to someone again. Thanks to both yourself and Chuck for the great advice and assistance - i really appreciate it.

Don