How to put in a distributor so the engine will start Cadillac 472 / 500

[@WillLloyd-h7v]

Thank you very much for all your videos you have helped me out tremendously. Greatly appreciated!

[@How_the_gods_drill]

Also, you have explained more about these engines than anyone else!!! Thank you mucho

[@WillLloyd-h7v]

I really enjoy all your videos you've helped me tremendously thank you very much.. 76/ 500"' airboat Fl.

[@ladon50la]

Thank you Sir you are absolutely great

[@ladon50la]

How do I read the 3 notches on my timing scale?

[@ladon50la]

How do you read the 3 notches on the timing scale?

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the center mank is TDC [ 0 ] ....the mark to the right of zero is so many degree 5 degrees advanced.....,,naturally the mark to the left of the zero is the retard mark , 5 ,degrees,,,,,,I forget ,,,have not tuned a caddy in near 35 years.......Hopefully the master will answer the question for both of us,, or I'll need to look in an old service manual.....@@ladon50la

[@shaggyscarshop]

Great work! Im sadly going to have to pull my distributer on my engine since it has been sitting almost 10 years now, i want to make sure I have good oil pressure before i try and start it up again.

[@joekalmar8881]

Monte Carlo.! GM's best non Cadillac. I had to get rid of my 71 . I have the cad company small chamber ported pro/street heads with the gold roller rockers. Been collecting these parts for over 20 years. Motor is going to rock. Some day for sure

[@Fishwacker59]

Excellent as always. Thank you Scott.

[@damienscott9364]

Very informative from down here in Australia thanks mate

[@robertshaw5914]

Great video thanks Scott!

[@juneenriquez9720]

Great video!

[@reddrw1]

Thank you.

[@juneenriquez9720]

Is there an easier way to get that distributor shaft on the pump drive shaft??? Been fiddling with it for hours now and it doesn’t want to push down…..

[@How_the_gods_drill]

Hello, I've been building a 472 for a while now.. I'm almost done. I just bought an hei distributor for it and I'm kinda lost as to where it fires... you said point to point, but can you please explain in more depth?

[@scotthatch4548]

Look at the reluctor wheel in the center ... inner wheel has triangular points as does the outer wheel

[@ladon50la]

How do you read the 3 notches on the timing scale I cleaned the rust off and I don't have any numbers on it. And how did you go to 12 degrees

[@scotthatch4548]

@@ladon50la depending on the year each notch is 4 to 5 degrees .... I'm used late model so it has more marks and numbers

[@ladon50la]

1970 cadillac coupe Deville with the 3 notch timing scale

[@How_the_gods_drill]

@ladon50la I had the same issue, not sure if the way I did it is correct but I'll tell you. Perhaps Scott could correct me if I'm all wrong. First I found absolute TDC, then I made my own notch and ordered some timing mark tape, I then lined up my TDC mark that I made with the 0 on the tape. Rotated the engine back to 12 degrees. I think I should be where I need to be

[@randellay]

Was wondering what size bolt you have on the end of the engine to turn it over by hand

[@scotthatch4548]

@@randellay if you pull out the factory cork plug there is 9/16 fine thread in the end of the crankshaft .... You can use a bolt with a nut or a thick washer or Cad Co in Albuquerque NM has a kit with a special made thick washer

[@randellay]

Thank you so much for the reply was having trouble .🙏

[@randellay]

I don't have the original timing tab if I am on number one compression stroke does that make it tdc I have a 74 eldorado pretty much stock besides headers and new iron heads I bought from cad company

[@atribecalledcookies4]

Scott, on a high compression 1969 472 what is the specs for compression testing? do you have those numbers?

[@scotthatch4548]

It's more important that it's even ... I'm at 7000 ft up so what I see is different .... With 10 to 1 I would guess that you are around 120 to 140

[@atribecalledcookies4]

@@scotthatch4548 well i had a couple cylinders as high as 180, lowest being number 4 at 140, then i tested number 4 again last night and it was 125, sprayed some oil in there and it jumped to 170.

[@scotthatch4548]

@@atribecalledcookies4 not consistent ... So I wonder if you are doing it the same each time .,full battery ..all plugs out .... Sounds like a testing problem not a engine problem

[@atribecalledcookies4]

@@scotthatch4548 All plugs were out, full battery, fuel pinched, throttle open, no spark, cranked a few revolutions . I'll run the test again here in an hour or so.

[@atribecalledcookies4]

@@scotthatch4548 I tried a different gauge, pulled all plugs again, ran the test and now the numbers are all up and consistent 👍 whew lol

[@charliedove730]

Do you install the distributor the same way in a 1964 429 ?

[@scotthatch4548]

I have not done that particular engine but it's basically the same for all engines ... Find number one intake ... Pay attention to rotor rotation direction ... I'm assuming points so just as they open

[@tpridgen11]

Hey I have a 1973 and this seems to be the exact motor that I have which is a 472 Cadillac coupe deville. I'm trying to set the timing on my car and the crankshaft doesn't have a nut to rotate it.........I'm lost a bit on what to do

[@scotthatch4548]

You can add a bolt .. stock has a cork to protect the threads ...it's 9/16 fine thread .... Or you can turn it at the flex plate and have someone spot you to stop at the right place

[@josephsauceda9454]

Can you just leave the distributor in and put #1 cylinder where it needs to be and just follow the firing order from where ever the rotor is pointing?

[@scotthatch4548]

If you are sure you are on number one firing point and don't mind wires being messy then yes ... I would still watch the intake valve go shut and line up the timing mark and trigger point on the distributor then start at the post with the rotor pointed and follow the firing order

[@josephsauceda9454]

Thank you sir appreciate the wisdom. I found a 1970 deville with the 472 the last sticker on the plate says 79 so at least 40 years since it ran starter cranks good but I'm having distributor problems.

[@scotteric8711]

Point distributor rotor at 9 o'clock, lower into block, make sure rotor points at cyl No. 1 when engine rotates to TDC. Verify with buzz box or DVOM on continuity or a test light at points, or secondary signal to coil. Rotate slightly to adjust as the vacuum advance unit is generally is in 6-8 o'clock position range. Like magic.

[@reddrw1]

Is this the same process for the Cadillac 425 Engine ?

[@scotthatch4548]

Yes

[@reddrw1]

@@scotthatch4548 Thank you

[@utahrides2903]

@@scotthatch4548 how about a 1965 caddy?

[@scotthatch4548]

@@utahrides2903 it's the same for any engine ... Just find number one cylinder and watch the intake valve close... Points are a little more work to set ... You can get close or you can use a test light

[@utahrides2903]

@@scotthatch4548 I’m just curious about the firing order and cylinder arrangement

[@dennisreavis4687]

No oil going to top of motor, replaced pump gear kit, no oil to lifters push rods

[@scotthatch4548]

@@dennisreavis4687 since lifters are oiled first I would assume you have no pressure at all and the pump has no prime ... So try to reprime the pump by packing it or with a drill and pressure gauge ...if it's a old engine the pickup tube could be blocked with the plastic teeth from the timing chain

[@pmd7771969]

Crap p rods, conn rods, heads, q jet, crap intake, too high a distributor, not enough parts made, no steel crank, awful balancer, stock oil pumps stink. They loose prime, cast rods, cast pistons. 4800 rpm limit. Heavy crank, Need I say more. Bloodviking, engine builder

[@How_the_gods_drill]

Ok man, I fired up my 472 for the cam break in. That actually went smoothly😊 I haven't driven the car yet cause it seems to have I minor rough idle. It has a brand new elderbrok carb. I set the timing at around 9 btd, it has an davis unified on it.... what do you think the best initial timing would be best? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance

[@How_the_gods_drill]

No pun intended

[@louisrosa]

Thanks Scott!