Sometimes I just hate Chilton's manuals!

 

Can someone give me their own procedure for installing this distributor with an "engine disturbed" scenario?

 

I think I have the Hitachi Dist. It has the hold-down "clips" (like older VW's).

 

EA82, carbed, singleport, dist in the left cam block.

 

Thanks; I'll be in the garage if you need me!

Regardless of the engine or distributor, this is the way to set up initial timing:

 

Remove the #1 spark plug. You can remove all the plugs to make it easier to turn the engine if you want. Now rotate the engine by hand (wrench on the crankshaft) until you approach your initial timing (8 or 20 degrees, depending on the engine). The engine will turn twice for every revolution of the distributor. You need to be on the compression stroke to set the timing, so put a finger in the #1 spark plug hole and feel for the compression as you approach TDC. When you're on the compression stroke, stop at whatever you determined your initial timing to be.

 

Now look at your distributor and determine which is the #1 plug wire. On the EA82, it's usually closest to the driver's side wheel well, but it doesn't really matter. Make a mark in pencil on the distributor housing just below where the #1 wire is. Remove the cap and install the distributor so that the rotor is pointing at the mark you made. Now install the cap and the rest of the wires and start it up. Then you can time it with a light.

right on!

Got it...