Re: [FWDLK] Ignition Wiring & Firing Order '57 Dodge D500

[Mike Apfelbeck <moparmike72@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave,
Yes, I forgot to mention that step, good you mentioned it since the
separate gear thing has been known to confuse people who may be used to
working on lesser brands.
If I remember correctly, the slot in the top of that shaft should be
pointed front to back (parallel with the crank) at TDC.
Mike

At 11:05 PM 4/1/2005, David Homstad wrote:

Mike, Jim,
 
Your method works with most engines, like GMs, but will not work with an early Hemi or Poly. The Mopar distributor shaft has a tab that fits into a slot on the top of the ?distributor lower drive shaft gear? (which drives off the cam). The distributor rotor on top is fixed in relationship to the shaft tab, and thus to the gear. To rotate the distributor?s position, the gear must be rotated. If the engine was worked on or rebuilt, the gear was not properly positioned at assembly.

1. Rotate the crank until # 1 cylinder is at TDC, on the ignition firing cycle. Rotor should be pointed at plug wire #1.
2. Remove the distributor. Remove the gear.
3. Align the oil pump shaft so that it lines up with the slot in the gear.
4. Then install so that as the gear spirals into position, it will index with the oil pump shaft and the slot in the top of the drive gear will be parallel with the centerline of the crankshaft.
5. Install the distributor with the rotor pointing toward the front of the engine.
6. Static time as Mike described: Before you put the cap on, turn the distributor CCW until the points just open, with the switch on you should be able to see or hear a spark when they open, this will set the timing close enough to start the engine.
7. The rotor will be pointing at # 1 on the distributor cap. Reposition the plug wires.
8. Start and time the engine.

 
This will properly position the distributor so the plug wiring will be as described in your diagram. Also, the vacuum advance will be located pointing to the RH side of the vehicle. This is useful if you have a tight clearance between the distributor and the firewall or use the original all metal original vacuum line.
 
Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List [mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Mike Apfelbeck
Sent: Friday, April 01, 2005 6:23 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Ignition Wiring & Firing Order '57 Dodge D500
 
It doesn't really matter where the wires are located on the cap as long as the rotor is pointed at the right wire when that cylinder fires. It may confuse the next person who tunes up the car if the location of the wires doesn't match the diagram in his tune up manual. If you want to change it, just crank the engine around until the rotor is pointed at no. 1 spark plug wire(the timing marks should be lined up on the crank for later), pull out the distributor and re-install it  with the rotor pointed as desired. Then you can insert the no. 1 wire into the cap, followed by the rest. Before you put the cap on turn the distributor until the points just open, with the switch on you should be able to see or hear a spark when they open, this will set the timing close enough to start the engine. After tightening the distributor bolt verify that the rotor is still pointed at the no. 1 wire and you're good to go.

Mike


At 10:51 AM 4/1/2005, Jim Hoekendijk wrote:

Hi All,
 
My second, recently obtained '57 Dodge D500 wasn't performing very well, so I thought a tune-up would help.
I started with the distributor and besides the fact that all the sprak plug wires on one side of the engine were completally loose (on all four cylinders!), I noticed the wiring is not as it is supposed to be. At least, not as far as I know.
The firing order is O.K. ( 1, 8, 4, 3, 6, 5, 7, 2), but the spark plug wiring on the distributor is rotated three positions counter clockwise.
To make clear what I mean, I'v attached a scan (hope that's OK) where you can see the 'normal' situation, it's the same as what you can find on these tune-up data cards from the era, like Esso's.
My wiring is actually rotated three positions counter clockwise: terminal 1 is where 5 should be.
 
Now, it could be that I got the wrong tune-up data. Wouldn't be so surprising, because the engine was running after all! Only a little 'rough', and recently hardly at all, but that's not a surprise either, with all the sprak plug wires hanging loose on one side. (Yes, the car was parked outside and yes, I've got neighbours..., but, noooo...).
 
I think it could be possible that the distributor was removed at one time, and put back on in a wrong way. Not aligned.
 
My questions:
    - is the ignition wiring correct?
    - if not, should I remove the distributor and put ik back on in the right way (aligned)?
    - if so, what's the procedure?
 
The double breaker distributor IBK-4301A is correct (for the engines up to engine number KD500-4430)
 
Looking forward to your reply!
 
Jim Hoekendijk
Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
'57 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer D500 4dr
'57 Dodge Royal Lancer D500 2dr.

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