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Hi guys -- Trying to get my 31 running. Carb Doctor rebuilt the DL Model 51, Jeff got the distributor curve situated, had the generator and voltage regulator rebuilt. Tried to start; nothing. pulled the distributor and saw the rotor is about an inch off where the distributor terminal is for Spark No. 1, that leads me to conclude the driveshaft is off. Is the adjustment such that I lift the shaft, reposition until I get the rotor to line up with No. 1 terminal? I take it shaft is geared where it mates to the camshaft gear?

No, the shaft is not geared. It terminates in a simple square configuration (thus allowing only a 90 degree adjustment) that then nests into the actual drive gear.

My comment above is based on the 9th Series and later 320 and 384 engines, I believe the prior engines are similarly configured. Just lift the drive shaft out to confirm.

yes it looked like a 90 degree adjustment might be the fix. it's just a square drive system?

Yes, the distributor drive shaft itself is square and allows a 90 degree adjustment; hopefully no one has altered the positioning of the camshaft-driven gear which drives the shaft.

Excellent, and thanks very much. I don't think the cam gear has been altered. Is there any risk of pulling the cam gear out as I draw up the distributor drive shaft or is the gear captive?

Hopefully you do not end up like my 9th series, I moved the dist. 90 degrees but it did not solve the problem. The lock pin is very close to spark plug
#4, moving it 90 degrees and the grease cup is too close to spark plug #5. Fortunately the car starts and runs well but if I need to adjust the timing any further I can not do it without touching the plug.

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