I just joined this forum. I hope someone can answer my question. I installed a 2.8 L V6 from a S-10 into my MGB. It is so close to the firewall that I can't adjust the timing because the vacuum advance is too close to the firewall. My question is, does anyone make a distributer for this carbureted engine that is totally mechanical advance?
Bob T

 

Just rotate the distributor around so that the vacuum pot is no longer against the firewall. You do this without pulling the distributor unless you have to in order to allow it to clear. If you pull the distributor, you just have to make sure that the rotor ends up in the same location it was before you pulled the distributor so your base timing isn't screwed up. You will need to redo the wires corresponding to the rotor position; ex. if you rotate the distributor body 60 degrees counter-clockwise, you will need to move the wires 1 terminal clockwise to put them back in the same location relative to the rotor inside.

 

That is a good idea but the distributer is only about 1/2" from the firewall. I would have to turn it 180 degrees to clear the engine (manifold) then I would be back to the firewall on the other side.
Bob T

 

What we used to do in our old chevy's back in the day when we would convert to the newer HEI distributors was simply take a hammer to the firewall and add a little clearance. I'm not talking about bashing the hell out of it , just making a little space between the fire wall and distributor.