Road Runner Nest

I just purchased a new Mopar Performance replacement distributor for my 72 400 RR...Here is the problem..I have the number 1 cyl at TDC on the compression stroke..The intermediate shaft is parallel with the crank shaft.. The timing mark on the harm bal is lined up with the "0" on the timing cover..Directions state that I should point the rotor at the number 1 terminal on the cap and seat the distributor into the intermediate shaft..When I do it no longer points even close to the number one on the cap and if I seat the distributor the vacuum advance is also pointing in the direction of the carb or coil..What the hell am I doing wrong??? Im going to feel real dumb when I figure it out but right now its pissing me off..HELP..And its not in 180 deg backwards..

you can move the wires around to make wherever the rotor is pointing at the "actual" number 1 terminal. i had to do that with my HEI set-up. the vacuum advance part is strange, though...most people's point almost straight at the battery area, however mine points straight forward toward the radiator

Then you prolly had to make all your own wire sets too right??

You can move the oil pump/distributor drive shaft with a suitable screwdriver. Turn it counterclockwise(i think if not, its clockwise, been a while) and it will lift up off the cam gear and you can position it any way you want just make sure it goes back into the oil pump all the way, you may have to turn the motor a little. You may have moved it taking out the old distributor without realizing it. You should also consider buying the timing tape for the harmonic balancer so you can correctly time the engine. With the tape on you disconnect the vacuum line to the distributor rev the engine to about 2500 and hold it there (make sure you are clear of the fan ESPECIALLY if it a horsepower robbing cheesy flex fan. this will give you all the mechanical advance from the distributor you then set the timing, with a light, to 36 degrees. If it pings try 35. You want the most you can get without pinging. It is also a very good idea to verify TDC on the balancer first. It has a piece of rubber between the inner and outer ring and sometimes (37? years old..) slips. Unfortunately the best way to do that is to take the head off and verify TDC #1 with a dial indicator compared to the balancer mark, and the marks on the mass-produced cover. There is another way with a degree wheel and a positive-stop tool but thats kind of hard to explain. Good luck I hope some of this helps

Your info is very helpful...The Intermediate shaft should be parallel with the crank no matter what..The motor was completely torn down so of course it wouldnt be lined up exactly the same..But It is now....You use a big flat screw driver and turn counterclockwise until it jumps back into place..I took the distributor back to Mancini's and they came out with a nos one in trade as after inspecting it they said the new one was assembled wrong..So much for those wonderful Mopar Performace products..The one they gave me dropped in like a champ and lines up perfectly with the number one terminal...Thanks guys for the info and thanks to Mancini for stepping up and doing the right thing...

Good advice Elvad. I like happy endings!

They may have sent you a small block distributor. It could have been packaged wrong. It will fit and even run but just gets worse from there.

lol...when i ordered my heads, i got them out of the boxes, didn't pay much attention, started getting ready to prep for paint, and thought WTF???? sent me 340 heads...awesome, so they tried getting out of it, but i got the correct ones, but I had to pay shipping to send the 340s back...that was bogus