'75 280z - trying to set timing

[Zed Head]

The one that "looked good" looked more right.  Did you rotate the distributor within its adjustment range, the slot on the lockdown screw, to see if the rotor points at 1?  And don't overlook that it's the front of the rotor electrode that sparks not the middle.   Imagine rotation in action.

You'll find out when you set ignition timing.  Might be fine, there is another adjustment on the distributor itself.

[siteunseen]

I have mine at full advance or close to it.  They seem to run better to me the little I drive them but I'm trying to do better. 

EDIT: Zed Head I thought you were the OP,  Neb.  Sorry about that.

Edited November 2, 2018 by siteunseen

[Neb]

1 hour ago, Zed Head said:

The one that "looked good" looked more right.  Did you rotate the distributor within its adjustment range, the slot on the lockdown screw, to see if the rotor points at 1?  And don't overlook that it's the front of the rotor electrode that sparks not the middle.   Imagine rotation in action.

You'll find out when you set ignition timing.  Might be fine, there is another adjustment on the distributor itself.

I thought so too; even finished up bolting on the oil pump.  But then I put the distributor cap on there.  The rotor was well passed the no. 1 plug position, even with the adjustment screw at full advance in its slot.

Yeah, setting the ignition will tell all I suppose.  I just hope its better than it started.  At least I know the trick to setting that spindle now ?

[siteunseen]

Should have said sooner but that pic I grabbed from @240260280 is  ZX cover.  Probably different than  '75 Z, I know they're bigger.

[domdomdom]

Sorry to rehash this old topic, but would it generally be possible, if you have the oil pump not aligned correctly (and i mean seriously off, not just a few degrees), to just switch around the ignition cables on the distributor (keeping it in the correct order of course) to get the right ignition timing? surely not best practice, but no hassle, just move around some cables compared to removing the oil pump

[siteunseen]

If you get it set on TDC then adjust the wires so that #1 wire on the distributor cap matches the brass end of the rotor button then put the rest in order 153624 it should be in time.

Here's a good read that helps explain what I'm thinking.

 

[zKars]

Yes this is always an option. I haven’t measured it, but the total adjustment in the two slots on the dizzy base seem to be about  the rotation distance between the 6 towers. The only issue is assigning wire lengths that “fit” well with your new dizzy ‘TDC” position for each plug. 

[Neb]

Thread resurrection hah. I ended up getting a tune up at Datsun Spirit and Eiji sorted it out. Running very well now. Appreciate the follow ups

[domdomdom]

thanks for the quick response! Curtis240Z actually answers my question in the post you mentioned. you CAN rotate the spark plug wires around. Im gonna go to my garage now and make it run 😃