Installing 050 Distributor
 

I went to swap an 090 dist. that came with the car for an 050. When I went to install it, after marking where the 090 sat for TDC, I noticed that the cams on the pinion were way off. When I did line them up, naturally too far off for the car to start. Any tips?, is there something different about the 050 distributor that I need to know?
TIA

With the 009 the rotor will point to 4 o'clock with #1 at TDC. You know, rotor points to the notch on the distributor housing for #1.

Here's the difference.

With the 050 dizzy the rotor will point to 7 o'clock.

Just drop the 050 into place, it will engage the distributor drive with the rotor @ 7 o'clock. Rearrange the plug wires on the new cap keeping in mind that #1 is now at 7 not 4.

This will help

http://www.356registry.org/tech/maestro/050.html

Craig

Thanks for the info. Searching through the archives for setting timing, I've found recommendations for 5 BTDC, ATDC, and 5 ATDC. With 32/34 @ 3000 RPM. What's a good staring point?

on my 031 I set it at about 0 tdc, that gives me a max of 34 advance at 3500 They say its the total advance you want to really use, I am just trying to find out who "they" are, but it works very well, that 031 is really a super dizzy.

Craig

Greetings
The 050 averages 27 degrees advance. According to a recent discussion with Don Marks the concensus for max advance is 32 degrees with the gas available today. Therefore a starting point would be static timing of 5 deg. BTDC, about 1/4 inch to the right of TDC.

Maximum advance of 32 degrees is what you want. Set that and forget about timing at idle.

Interesting comments as there are those that swear by setting 33 deg at 3,000 RPM I have never been able to get more than 30 deg and that with doing nothing at idle except to start the car.

Craig

you can dial in as much or as little as you want. Idle advance is your sacrifical cow with an 050.

Morrie