Posted by Henry Jacobs on April 01, 1999 at 09:25:18:
In Reply to: Distributor removal/replacement posted by Chuck on April 01, 1999 at 08:27:59:
The purpose of the distributor is to deliver a spark to the cylinder in proper time with the piston and valve actions. Everything is connected together with gears and a timing chain. The important thing is to put everything back together so that the timing all happens correctly. For minor service involving removal of the distributor, most mechanics mark the positions of everything (rotor, distributor body, crankshaft) before disassembly. This way it's easy to reassemble things - just line up the marks.
One thing y'all might try is to go to a used book store and see if you can buy an old Chilton's or other automotive repair manual. Auto repair manuals from the 50's and 60's frequently featured flathead engines such as we are using here as examples and they do a good job of explaining basic engine operating principles and maintenance methods. I have an old book from 1965 that is loaded with information on lost arts like voltage regulator adjustment and point surface filing.
HLJ