Oil pump/timing dilemma

[PhilipS]

Bought a 1949 CJ3A Rust bucket with a rebuilt engine. Took it down to the frame and back together. when I went to put on the plug wires and start it I found out the thing won't run with the #1 wire on the #1 plug. After much experimentation, my #1 plug wire works on what should be the#4 distributor port, so my #1 is on #4, #3 is where the #1 should be, #4 is at #3 and 2 is at#4. So the timing is right 1,3,4,2 CCW, just in the wrong place. Any suggestions on what is wrong and how to fix it? By the way, it runs fine like this, just want it right.

[mtnman37879]

Sounds like the distributor is one tooth off from where it's supposed to be. I wouldn't worry about it. It won't hurt anything. To fix it pull the distributor up so the gears aren't meshed and turn the shaft back one tooth. But I'd leave it alone. Sometimes the oil pump might need turning and that's a pain.

[athawk11]

Phillip,
If I'm reading this correctly, your written description is different than what you've drawn.  If the #1 cylinder fires while the distributor is pointing at the original #4 position, this normally suggests the flywheel was installed 180 degrees off.  This is a fairly common mistake.

If it runs with the position you've drawn, then I agree with Mountain Man. Your oil pump may be off a tooth or two.

In either case, I wouldn't change a thing.  Just document "your" custom timing position for future reference. 

[PhilipS]

Thanks all, I think I'll leave it alone. at least until I rebuild it, if ever.   

[Lee]

There has been service manuals printed the wrong way, as yours was clocked, my 2A was the same, it is no big deal to back out the oil pump and re-clock it!.

Lee