Essex distributior alignment

[oldgeebee]

I've got the FoMoCo distributor on the Essex and have just fitted Accuspark electronic ignition. The engine starts and runs well but when checking the timing with a strobe I can't turn the distributor far enough round to get to the 12 BTDC mark - it's way over at around 25-30 at a guess. I've tried shifting the plug leads one position round the distributor but then the car wouldn't start. The distributor has a bevel gear so it looks like I could take it out and re-fit at say 30 degrees further round to give me some adjustment room but before I do that I wondered whether anyone has a better idea?

BTW the timing was fine with the points installed.

TIA GB

[Dollyman1850]

One tooth out on the gear. Gently remove watching the rotor arm turn then re-fit moving the rotor arm in the direction you want to swing the dizzy so you engage the next tooth.
N.

[oldgeebee]

Thanks - but just to double check the rotation directions: the distributor rotates clockwise viewed from above and I can't turn the distributor far enough clockwise to retard the ignition from say 30 degrees to 12 degrees. Doesn't that mean I need to turn the rotor one tooth anti-clockwise?

GB

[Dollyman1850]

Yes.

[anonymous-user]

Stick masking tape over the rotor arm to secure it in position

[oldgeebee]

Thanks both!
Nice little afternoon job . . .

GB