Distributor cap all the way counter clockwise?

[gionetz]

Hello, I have just changed a cambox gasket in my 1975 124 Spider 1800cc, the gasket seems to be okay (so far, so good). I carefully left the distributor in the box while I changed the gasket so I wouldn't mess anything up. Well, of course, I did mess something up, I misread a mark on the aux shaft (It ended up at about 10oclock instead of 1oclock) Well, the car sounded really bad (I couldn't take all the plugs out because I need to fix a couple stripped ones from the former owner and without proper tools, I could not turn the motor over by hand. We checked everything again TDC, ROTOR at #4, cam left at 1 and cam right at 11, and the mystery mark issue on the aux was overlooked and checked as "OKAY" - So, we started turning the cap a little to see if it was a big timing issue. THEN, I looked at aux pulleys on line and saw that there IS a better mark and went and found it, clogged up with gunk and hidden into the pulley. So, I re-timed everything and she started right up, sounded MUCH better. Now it's off to the timing...we didn't get a timing-guard with the car so I don't have any marks. (I think I found one a couple of towns over and will get it ASAP) - So, In turning the cap, it runs better couneter-clockwise, as I try forward, it gets a litte worse and "backfires" out the exhuast after turning it off. I have the cap basically turned ALL THE WAY counter-clockwise to achieve a decent but, not perfect ride...I know I need to get a light on it but, is this at all normal? My Dad feels there should be a lot more adjustment and we DID NOT take it out when we changed the cam. I also have NO idea if it was all the way back before we forst loosened it. Thank you for any help you may have!! Chris

[So Cal Mark]

the aux shaft timing has nothing to do with your running issue unless your dist is block mounted. Without a timing mark for the crankshaft and unable to remove the spark plugs, how did you verify tdc? Sounds like the cam timing is off

[gionetz]

Thank you for the reply! I realize the aux doesnt effect timing but, when I "thought" it was correct, the auxcam made a bad noise that was confused with possible timing, so we loosened the cap. The #1 and #2 were left in so I used #4 for TDC with rotor pointing to #4. Everything on the belt is correct i.e. all cams (aux included) and crank. It's running prettty well and I know I need to adjust the carb a little bit but, I want to get through one thing at a time???!! Also, I just noticed in a pre-job photo that I took, the distributor cap looks like it is in fact all the way back...could a prior "mechanic" have taken the distributor out and put it back wrong? (the motor was tinkered with in the past, plenty of evidence) lol !!! Thank you!!!

[gionetz]

Okay, without anything else making sense besides the former owner placing the distibutor in wrong, I went out today and pulled the distributor out and moved it ONE TOOTH which gave me about 3/16" extra for cap adjustment. Got in turned it over and VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! - wow!, really running nice! -The former owner/mechanic put the distributor in "off" by about three teeth (would be my guess), although I only moved it ONE (for trial purposes), it gave enough adjustment and can over advance/retard withouth an issue....now, the carb!!!! - Thank you!!!!!

[4uall]

[gionetz]