So I replaced the spark plugs, wires, distributor, cap, and rotor on my '87 IROC (305) and I did everything right up until placing the new distributor precisely as the old one. It's the first time I do this on my own, I'm certain the firing order is correct. I called my father who's got more experience and yes, he said that's gotta be the problem. So my question is, how do I fix this? Can I just loosen the hold down bolt on the distributor and turn it slightly until it actually turns on, or have I gone too far in "over complicating" this for myself?

 

Not clear what your father said was the problem? Do you mean he told you that the distributor was installed out of time?

If so, you have to align the rotor to cyl #1 pin on the cap (allowing for the rotation as you insert the helical gears), with the engine approaching #1 TDC on the compression stroke (both valves closed, balancer mark at TDC).

 

Yeah he basically said that I installed the distributor slightly too far either clockwise or counterclockwise. So I think what I'd have to do is turn in one way or the other until it works? Unless I'm wrong

 

You may reduce the range of movement available for static advance.

 

So that can actually work?

 

So I found the Top Dead Center and got it to run, but it clearly still needs work because it'll kind of "woble" and if stopped for too long (traffic light or stop sign) it stalls out. What could the cause of that be?