1975 450 SLC ... Replacing water pump.

Part of the process is to remove the distributor.

To prepare to remove the distributor my repair manual says to turn the crankshaft so that the mark on the distributor rotor is aligned with the mark on the distributor housing. The mark on each of these items is very obvious. In addition, the manual states that the pointer on the crankcase should be just above the TDC mark on the vibration damper. I can not satisfy both of these requirements at the same time.

If I get the mark on the distributor rotor to align with the mark on the distributor housing the pointer on the crank case points to about +18 degrees.

What do I need to do in order to safely remove the distributor? Is aligning the distributor rotor mark with the mark on the distributor housing enough?

 

just align the crankshaft TDC first.

then, make a marker on your rotor cap to coincide with the rotor housing marker.
then open the cap and mark the position of the rotor.

somebody must have change the ignition cable's position.

you can do it.

 

Sleepwalker ... thanks for the reply.

I posted the same question on another forum and received the following brief reply:

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"That probably means your timing is WAY off.

Either way, you'll need to retime it when you're done. Just line the crank up to TDC. When you're done, reinstall the distributor with the rotor on the line. It will start like that. The timing wont be exact but you can set it from there. Remember, it should be 5° ATDC WITH the vac line connected. It sounds like someone set it with it removed, and it's a 12° advance with it disconnected normally, so 5° ATDC with the line removed would be 17° ATDC with it on. Your engine must be pretty sluggish at that setting! "
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After studying your reply and the one above, I have concluded that each response assumes a different reason for not being able to line things up on the distributor and crankcase per my repair manual ... your reply assumes someone has changed the ignition cable's position ... (not sure exactly what that means) ... and the timing is OK (right?) and the other forum reply assumes that my timing is way off.

Perhaps following either path will lead me to the same place and because I don't understand the whole ignition time thing well enough I just can't see it.

At any rate, because of the difference in the two reply's recommended steps to prepare for distributor removal, I am left wondering exactly what to do.

 

according to his advice, you will need a timing light to set it properly. set it with engine running and by turning the distributor housing.

his advice is correct, but you have to work it out.

mine was just to remember the basic position since you never complain about lack of power or misfire.