Don't be afraid, I come in peace!
 

Morrie, don't worry, your distributor is fine as it is, as long as No. 1 is correct. The notch is important since No. 3 firing is retarded to help cooling.

I doubt the distributor has been assembled wrong, where did you get it? How much? I may need one one day!

The Maestro's installation instructions for the drive say turn the narrow part of the slot towards the rear of the engine and the slot parallel to the mating surface of the third piece of the case. Then turn the drive counter-clockwise about 45 degrees. Then install third piece of case. This is all at No. 1 TDC. So with your distributor out you should be able to tell if the drive is where it should be.

keep playing with the timing. Maestro says you're aiming for 30-32 degrees total advance at greater than 3500rpm.
Can't find static yet but I'd say BTDC.

Ok folks... I've been trading e-mails, suggestions, and digital pictures of distys, flywheel pully marks, and disty drive orientations with HPC Research. The conclusion given after about 6 mails back and forth is that my disty drive has been installed incorrectly. Apparently, the thing can be placed in 15 degree increments to just about any orientation.

By monitoring valves as they open and close and watching for the OT mary, I verified TDC on #1 and ran the firing order accordingly. I timed with a 12V test light and hit the starter. Even after sitting for nearly a week without being run, it immediately fired, better than it ever has. Seems to idle smooth and rev freely. Haven't had the chance to road test it yet but it seems promising..... interesting, nonetheless.

KTF,
Morrie

Morrie:

Check your distributor clamp to make sure when it is tightened all the way the distributor will not turn. I have an 050 on my 69 and discovered the clamp was tightened all the way but you could still turn the distributor by hand. Plan to remove some metal from the clamp hole so it grabs the distributor body tighter.

Just give the distributor a twist with your hand.

Ron D

solid and tight Ron... thanks for the heads up though!

Morrie