Need help to remove my distributor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Montréal Quebec
Need help to remove my distributor
I'm on the final way to remove my intake... I need to remove the distributor.. Can someone tell me how to do that step by step. I don't want to lose the timing...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 416
From: Seattle Area WA
I would make sure you are at top dead center. Easy way to do that is to remove #1 spark plug and with a helper, bump the starter (quickly turn the key) #1 compression stroke will be when you are at Top Dead Center (TDC) on the timing marks on the balancer and you have pressure coming out of the #1 spark plug hole.
Remove dist cap and the rotor should be pointing at the #1 plug wire.
Now you can pull out the distributor knowing that you are in the #1 firing position.
Remove dist cap and the rotor should be pointing at the #1 plug wire.
Now you can pull out the distributor knowing that you are in the #1 firing position.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Montréal Quebec
I would make sure you are at top dead center. Easy way to do that is to remove #1 spark plug and with a helper, bump the starter (quickly turn the key) #1 compression stroke will be when you are at Top Dead Center (TDC) on the timing marks on the balancer and you have pressure coming out of the #1 spark plug hole.
Remove dist cap and the rotor should be pointing at the #1 plug wire.
Now you can pull out the distributor knowing that you are in the #1 firing position.
Remove dist cap and the rotor should be pointing at the #1 plug wire.
Now you can pull out the distributor knowing that you are in the #1 firing position.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Take pics like this with a digital camera to record the positions of the rotor and the dist housing. Don't rotate engine with the dist out.
If the engine is rotated or is set to TDC #1 Cylinder, then file a reference mark like this on the dist housing in line with the rotor at #1 position.
In either case it will get you close enough to check with a timing lite.
If the engine is rotated or is set to TDC #1 Cylinder, then file a reference mark like this on the dist housing in line with the rotor at #1 position.
In either case it will get you close enough to check with a timing lite.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
I just did this at a local shop. The owner is letting me use a bay for a couple weeks.
When I started to pull the distributor, the owner said, "have the rotor pointing straight forward or straight back". So I rotated the crank until the rotor pointed straight back and pulled it out.
After I installed my powder coated intake, I replaced the distributor with the rotor pointng straight back. The car started after a couple rotations! Easiest R & R of a distributor I have ever done!!!
When I started to pull the distributor, the owner said, "have the rotor pointing straight forward or straight back". So I rotated the crank until the rotor pointed straight back and pulled it out.
After I installed my powder coated intake, I replaced the distributor with the rotor pointng straight back. The car started after a couple rotations! Easiest R & R of a distributor I have ever done!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,675
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
That works fine but if you don't mark the orientation of the body of the distributor as Noonie sugested, you'll only be close. You'll still need to set the timing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Montréal Quebec
Take pics like this with a digital camera to record the positions of the rotor and the dist housing. Don't rotate engine with the dist out.
If the engine is rotated or is set to TDC #1 Cylinder, then file a reference mark like this on the dist housing in line with the rotor at #1 position.
In either case it will get you close enough to check with a timing lite.
If the engine is rotated or is set to TDC #1 Cylinder, then file a reference mark like this on the dist housing in line with the rotor at #1 position.
In either case it will get you close enough to check with a timing lite.
So, If I understand, we can remove distributor without being at the TDC but we need to set some mark to be sure of the right position when we put in back.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Part breakage is just weakness leaving my Stingray
Noonie is right on the money. Just mark everthing and you'll be fine. TDC doesn't matter as long as everything else is marked, and of course you don't turn the crank.
