installing distributor question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 21, 2004 | 05:03 PM

samckernan

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 215

Likes: 0

From: Planet Earth

installing distributor question

For arguement sake, lets say someone removed their distributor, and didn't put the #1 cylinder at TDC... nor did they make an index mark somewhere (firewall, fender or whatever) showing where the rotor was pointing.

If they went back later and put the #1 cylinder at TDC (because the engine moved), then they went to put the distrubutor back in, where should they point the rotor to insure that the distributor gear lines up with the cam gear?

Hypothetically, someone could make that mistake, and I was just wondering how they would bail themselves out... It's not that I did it, really it's not... nobody scene me do it... That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks

Sam

Jan 21, 2004 | 05:11 PM

proeliator

Post Fiend

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 8,238

Likes: 3

From: Oregon

Check your firing order. The rotor should be pointing at #1 on the cap.

Jan 21, 2004 | 05:13 PM

Mike G

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 3,447

Likes: 1

From: Littleton, CO

Shhhhh

Set the number one at TDC, drop the distrib in with the vacuum advance pointing slightly to the left of center (standing from the front of the motor looking in), set your cap on and note the location of the #1 plug on it. From there, lift and adjust the rotor until you are at the #1 cylinder (the cap is stationary to the body of the distributor so you must move the rotor). I'm sure others have a few suggestions so hold out for more.

--Mike

Jan 21, 2004 | 05:14 PM

Putt

Posting Guru

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,232

Likes: 1

From: Colville, Washington

You need to line the rotor up with the #1 post in the cap. It will rotate slightly as it goes down, so need to adjust for that rotation in initial position. The rotor needs to end pointing at #1 post. Make sure it is on TDC #1 on compression stroke also!

Putt

Jan 21, 2004 | 10:16 PM

Fritolay

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 731

Likes: 0

From: in the springs

the easy fix is this (i may have no i knuckle head who did the same thing once or twice) roll the engine to tdc #1 drop in the distributor with the vacum module pointing forward (leave a little room to turn the body of the distributor). drop it in set the rotor on and then just mark where the rotor is pointing mark it set the cap on (make sure the rotor and the cap arein alignment and the start popin on plug wires from there. it may not match the illustrations in the book but if you do your own repairs it wont matter cause you will know where #1 is.

Jan 21, 2004 | 10:30 PM

biz4two

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 5,844

Likes: 6

From: Albuquerque

Quote:

Originally posted by Putt
Make sure it is on TDC #1 on compression stroke also!

Putt

How do you know exactly TDC #1 on the "compression" stroke? If I am turning the engine by hand (big ratchet)...how will I know the compression stroke?

Thanks!

Jan 21, 2004 | 10:42 PM

Fritolay

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 731

Likes: 0

From: in the springs

its easier if you have help but the best way is remove the #1 plug stick a finger in the hole and stop when you feel compresion coming out then check the harmonic balancer and set it to your initial timing