If you cant see the rocker arms on #1 cylinder, remove the spark plug in cylinder #1. Wad up a piece of dry toilet paper and place it barely in the hole, not inside but barely half way. Rotate the engine clockwise with a wrench and as soon as the paper blows out of the hole keep going but stop when the timing marks line up. This will be Top Dead Center (TDC) on cylinder #1 firing stroke.
At the 5:00 mark had I rotated the housing clockwise to where the circle with wire mesh was lined up with the rotor that would have worked and it would be timed then. I still would have had to take it back out to install the gasket though so no biggie.
Let me add one more comment about this. Some distributors have a hold down bracket that limits rotation travel to a narrow range. With these type distributors (Toyota Landcruisers are a good example) you can’t just rotate the distributor to where ever you want to get the rotor to line up. In these situations the engineers intended the distributor to engage in an exact tooth on the cam. This is critical in these engines because the spark plug wire lengths will not reach the correct spark plug if the distributor is indexed incorrectly. Plus the next mechanic who touches this engine will know he’s working on a jury rigged engine.
If you leave the distributor in and rotate the rotor counter clockwise while slightly lifting the distributor it will move in the direction you need the rotor to point. It may take several rotations to get it where it needs to be but it's easier than pulling the distributor completely out and trying to line up the oil pump shaft. I used to do this all the time when I built SB chevy engines years ago. Now I have a boat with 4.3 Vortec I just bought that I need to pull the engine and rebuild it. Thanks for the series on the 4.3 it's going to help me rebuild it easier and cheaper using auto parts instead of expensive marine crap.
i have a question on a v8 mercrusier shift assist wires hooking it up to a HEI distributor where do you hook up the black and the white wires for it to work i appreciate you buddy.
@@moccasinmarine why not if you dont mine answering it has the same venting screens on the bottom as the points and a vent hole in the cap. is this not acceptable im 63 years old is another reason i need reliabilty like the HEI just looking for information brother any will help thanks from FL
@@inthenameofmyfather3836 HEI distributors use weights and springs to advance timing. In a marine application these will quickly rust corrode and fail. The proper distributor is a Delco EST ignition system which is superior to any other marine ignition.
@@inthenameofmyfather3836 you will bust out more than $1000 if you blow the engine with the wrong timing curve. You didn’t say if it was a 5.0 or 5.7 but the max timing should be around 28 degrees BTDC. Make sure the HEI is set not to exceed that. Also DO NOT connect the vacuum advance port on the distributor to anything. Leave it unconnected since boats do not need vacuum advance. The danger of an HEI is not knowing what springs are inside it. Some springs were for lightweight cars and some were for heavy trucks. I don’t know what you have so I can’t advise on the HEI.
I’ve answered this twice before in the comments of one of my videos but I can’t remember which one. It will take me a while to find it and I’ll post back here when I do. But I’ve decided to add a whole new video to address this question since it keeps being asked.
Ok the video link is: ua-cam.com/video/x_UXSsOnepk/v-deo.html Go to the bottom of comments and read the conversation with viewer CitrusMcFly. I covered 454 engines modified with the Delco EST ignition. But again since this has been asked at least three times I’ll make a separate video to address.
Cylinders are numbered 1,3,5 port side (USA drivers side) front to back and 2,4,6 starboard side. Choose a plug tower on the cap and make it number 1 (see video on which one I use). Then going clockwise looking down put the rest of wires on in order of 6,5,4,3,2. The firing order of a 4.3 v6 is 1,6,5,4,3,2. This is a sequence that you should memorize if you own one of these engines.
@@moccasinmarine ok I got number 1 up on comp side got both marks on crank lined up put number 1 beside screw in cap routed wires just like that still not right it was running fine till I changed dist pick up coil was bad any suggestions iam all ears
@@adambates3788 I don’t know that the screw in cap is lined up with a post on the distributor cap. I’ll have to check later. If it does then you can make that your number 1 cylinder post. So with the engine at TDC on firing stroke drop the distributor in so that the rotor tip points at the screw after rotating the engine 2 turns back to #1 TDC.
@@moccasinmarine yeah I made the post number 1 then went clockwise with wires 165432 with marks lined up on crank I heard there was a little brown and black wire under passenger side under carpet you had to unplug ???? I never thought I would have this much trouble with putting a Chevrolet back in TDC but I appreciate sir thanks
If you cant see the rocker arms on #1 cylinder, remove the spark plug in cylinder #1. Wad up a piece of dry toilet paper and place it barely in the hole, not inside but barely half way. Rotate the engine clockwise with a wrench and as soon as the paper blows out of the hole keep going but stop when the timing marks line up. This will be Top Dead Center (TDC) on cylinder #1 firing stroke.
You explained this very good, it was very helpful
Thanks I’m glad it helped.
Thanks for helping .
Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Thank you so much
Any time
At the 5:00 mark had I rotated the housing clockwise to where the circle with wire mesh was lined up with the rotor that would have worked and it would be timed then. I still would have had to take it back out to install the gasket though so no biggie.
Let me add one more comment about this. Some distributors have a hold down bracket that limits rotation travel to a narrow range. With these type distributors (Toyota Landcruisers are a good example) you can’t just rotate the distributor to where ever you want to get the rotor to line up. In these situations the engineers intended the distributor to engage in an exact tooth on the cam. This is critical in these engines because the spark plug wire lengths will not reach the correct spark plug if the distributor is indexed incorrectly. Plus the next mechanic who touches this engine will know he’s working on a jury rigged engine.
If you leave the distributor in and rotate the rotor counter clockwise while slightly lifting the distributor it will move in the direction you need the rotor to point. It may take several rotations to get it where it needs to be but it's easier than pulling the distributor completely out and trying to line up the oil pump shaft. I used to do this all the time when I built SB chevy engines years ago. Now I have a boat with 4.3 Vortec I just bought that I need to pull the engine and rebuild it. Thanks for the series on the 4.3 it's going to help me rebuild it easier and cheaper using auto parts instead of expensive marine crap.
I want to start a 4.3 LX/V6 Alpha One engine, can you tell me the firing order of the wires that go to the distributor.
1,6,5,4,3,2 going clockwise looking down from above the engine
i am a little confused i was told that you point at an angle towards cylinder #1 not straight ahead to the mesh.
Watch the video again that’s exactly what I said
i have a question on a v8 mercrusier shift assist wires hooking it up to a HEI distributor where do you hook up the black and the white wires for it to work i appreciate you buddy.
Why are you installing an HEI distributor is the bigger question.
@@moccasinmarine why not if you dont mine answering it has the same venting screens on the bottom as the points and a vent hole in the cap. is this not acceptable im 63 years old is another reason i need reliabilty like the HEI just looking for information brother any will help thanks from FL
@@inthenameofmyfather3836 HEI distributors use weights and springs to advance timing. In a marine application these will quickly rust corrode and fail. The proper distributor is a Delco EST ignition system which is superior to any other marine ignition.
@@moccasinmarine BUSTOUT another thousand im only looking to run about 3 yrs in fresh water this does not sound feasible to you in any way?thanks
@@inthenameofmyfather3836 you will bust out more than $1000 if you blow the engine with the wrong timing curve. You didn’t say if it was a 5.0 or 5.7 but the max timing should be around 28 degrees BTDC. Make sure the HEI is set not to exceed that. Also DO NOT connect the vacuum advance port on the distributor to anything. Leave it unconnected since boats do not need vacuum advance. The danger of an HEI is not knowing what springs are inside it. Some springs were for lightweight cars and some were for heavy trucks. I don’t know what you have so I can’t advise on the HEI.
You going to have a problem when you plug them wires in that sending unit is standing right in the way time to start over
This engine was installed and sold 6 months ago. The sending unit was not a problem. It is tight back there but it will work.
What about using that type of ing. in 7.4 mercruiser and what module would you use for the timing curve
I’ve answered this twice before in the comments of one of my videos but I can’t remember which one. It will take me a while to find it and I’ll post back here when I do. But I’ve decided to add a whole new video to address this question since it keeps being asked.
@@moccasinmarine ok,thank you
@@raymondzieger9885 I appreciate the questions because it lets me know what my viewers consider important. I’ll get you an answer ASAP.
@@moccasinmarine Thank you so much!
Ok the video link is:
ua-cam.com/video/x_UXSsOnepk/v-deo.html
Go to the bottom of comments and read the conversation with viewer CitrusMcFly. I covered 454 engines modified with the Delco EST ignition. But again since this has been asked at least three times I’ll make a separate video to address.
Ok can someone show me how to put wires on in right firing up from number 1 no smartass comments plz
Cylinders are numbered 1,3,5 port side (USA drivers side) front to back and 2,4,6 starboard side. Choose a plug tower on the cap and make it number 1 (see video on which one I use). Then going clockwise looking down put the rest of wires on in order of 6,5,4,3,2. The firing order of a 4.3 v6 is 1,6,5,4,3,2. This is a sequence that you should memorize if you own one of these engines.
@@moccasinmarine ok I got number 1 up on comp side got both marks on crank lined up put number 1 beside screw in cap routed wires just like that still not right it was running fine till I changed dist pick up coil was bad any suggestions iam all ears
Am I missing something????
@@adambates3788 I don’t know that the screw in cap is lined up with a post on the distributor cap. I’ll have to check later. If it does then you can make that your number 1 cylinder post. So with the engine at TDC on firing stroke drop the distributor in so that the rotor tip points at the screw after rotating the engine 2 turns back to #1 TDC.
@@moccasinmarine yeah I made the post number 1 then went clockwise with wires 165432 with marks lined up on crank I heard there was a little brown and black wire under passenger side under carpet you had to unplug ???? I never thought I would have this much trouble with putting a Chevrolet back in TDC but I appreciate sir thanks