Wrong distributor adjustment plate??

[really_drunk]

So I going from points dizzy to a matchbox and I only have the adjustment plate off the original dizzy.. Is it the wrong one or can I make it work??

 

 

[ggzilla]

Yes, that is an A-series adapter plate.

[really_drunk]

So I need to b looking for an L- series plate? Anybody got 1 they would let goof?

[ggzilla]

That plate is for an A14, A15 or A12A engine.

It will bolt to that distributor. But ... i doubt if it will work with that pedestal.

 

If you are trying to use the distributor in an L-series engine, then use an L-series plate. It doesn't have to be from a Matchbox distributor. 1974-1978 distributors for L-series should use the correct plate too.

 

Probably like this:

Let's hope they gave you the correct pedestal too.

[ggzilla]

What engine are you fitting this to?

What are the other numbers on the distributor? Especially, what is the 22100 number?

 

There are three pedestals and at least two timing plates for L-series engines.

[really_drunk]

My bad I'm putting it on an L-16 engine and the #s on the dizzy are D4K9-01 and 22100 04W00

[ggzilla]

OK, that's an L20B distributor, should work fine in your L16.

 

The timing plate for it looks real similar to yours, but the tabs are further apart.

 

Have you tried fitting the the 3 parts together? Distributor, plate and pedestal?

[really_drunk]

Yes I have they all fit together good it's just the "adjuster screw" doesn't line up w/ the plate.. Was thinking bout modifying it to fit

[banzai510(hainz)]

matchbox had 2 timming plates

the a series doesn have alot of slot movment compared to the L series. you can get it close and just get a mini C clamp to hold it down and use a timming light to dial it in.

[ggzilla]

The L20B one should fit both the distributor and the pedestal.

 

 

But is it the right pedestal? When you install into engine you will find out.

[really_drunk]

Not sure if it's the right pedestal it came w/ a bunch of parts i got along w/ an engine.. Imma pick a battery up this weekend and oil n coolant n she should be ready to fire up! We shall see.. I'll keep my eyes open for an l series pedestal..

[Laecaon]

My friend ran into the issue of L16 pedestal with a L20 matchbox. Looked identical to your problem. I took a dremel to the plate and made the slot larger allowing adjustment again. Works and doesnt move.

[really_drunk]

Sounds good Laecaon! Imma take the Drexel to it this week!

[banzai510(hainz)]

most people know the L16 tang is short like in the photo. Its most like a L18 to L20 pedastal that is needed for the matchbox. Mostly 75% of the time the most likely one is the most common one. abut there is a chance of the other matchbox pedastal might be needed.

 

 

I also heard of flipping the timming plate upside down if that can help if you have the wrong L20 timming plate

[really_drunk]

I'll keep that in mind Hainz!

[ggzilla]

To fit the wrong timing plate, you can:

* cut the slot so the bolt will fit (use a hacksaw), bolt it down, and use the *other* slot for timing adjustments

* use dremel or small file to widen the slot

* Use a screwdriver to pry the slot wider, then hammer it flat. This is what they do for the early L-series points timing plate, but the A14 plate is too thick for this method.

 

Then there is the problem of how the different plates & pedestals rotate the distributor. It may not fit the engine if rotated certain ways.

But Haines has said the A14 plate will work on a L20B using that pedestal.

 

The pedestal doesn't match the engine, but rather the type of distributor.

There are three factory L-series pedestals:

* small-cap distributor

* large-cap distributors (points or EI)

* Matchbox distributor

There is also the Z20 single-plug pedestal which looks very similar, but it is different.

[really_drunk]

Well I modded the plate so the adjuster screw could fit but when I put it on the rotor was in between the spark plug wires.. Couldn't adjust it enuff here's what I got..

[Laecaon]

I dare say, you look to be off a tooth....

 

Should be more like this, but 180 degrees the other way. It is backwards in this pic, but still works.

[really_drunk]

O_ o is that an easy fix? Damn now I gotta fix my pc to watch Hainz's video.. Workin off an iPhone blows!!

[Laecaon]

Kinda. Drop the oil pump, and turn the drive 1 tooth. Sounds difficult until you have done it. Not much oil should come out. Just make sure the motor is at TDC like you have...

 

If you do choose to do this, report back with pictures.

 

Gasket should be reusable if no tears.

[really_drunk]

Well pulled valve cover and it looked like this..

[Laecaon]

Oh damn, you have a nice cam gear. That is true TDC then. Just going by crank, it may be compression stroke or exhaust stroke.

[really_drunk]

So that's good? Sry I'm a machinist not a mechanic.. Just tryin to bring my first car I ever owned back to life :)

[Laecaon]

Yea that is good. You can drop your oil pump there. Make sure to catch the spindle if it falls. Do the operation with the distributor off. Practice a few time putting the oil pump and spindle back in to get the optimum location. You will get the hang of it pretty quickly.

[ggzilla]

if you get the right pedestal and the right timing plate, it will line up good.

 

Or with the wrong parts, you can re-index the oil pump/distributor spindle. But then the next owner might think your engine was put together wrong...