Corrected HEI Cap...hard to install?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
Corrected HEI Cap...hard to install?
I just purchased the Accel HEI Corrected Cap from Summit Racing and watched the You Tube video on installing it. It stated (and emphasized) to make sure the rotor was pointing to the #1 cylinder before installing the new cap. I understand all about the firing order and the fact it won't change and the cap will only align the wires aesthetically. Since I've had my Vette for the past 12 years, I've replaced the cap a few times and not once was I ever concerned where the rotor was facing...so why do I have to now with the Corrected Cap? Any thoughts? Comments? Experience on using the Corrected Cap?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Forty Fort PA
I put one on and did not worry about where the rotor was positioned. It did not make any difference.
Just so you know, I encountered a problem timing the engine (later) wherein according to the light, I needed something like 40 degrees advance to make the engine run decently. Long story short, I put the old 'regular' cap back on and the problem went away.
langg
Just so you know, I encountered a problem timing the engine (later) wherein according to the light, I needed something like 40 degrees advance to make the engine run decently. Long story short, I put the old 'regular' cap back on and the problem went away.
langg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
I am assuming the "corrected cap" rearranges the wires to go 12345678 or some other configuration than original. In that case #1 on the original, and #1 on the corrected cap would have to be the same because the corrected cap rearranges the rest of the order itself. Just make sure #1 on the original actually is #1 on the corrected cap, and all will be good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,914
Likes: 836
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
those things were around in the 70's and caused problems when people changed wires and didn't know it had a "special" cap on it. a more ridiculous product i can't think of , right now.
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,555
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I realize most members have done the distributor cap change a dozen times.....and probably blind-folded once or twice!
Being a rookie I watched the video to see what the "deal" is about the "Corrected Cap".
It stated that the #1 spark plug (driver-side/front plug)has to be removed and the crankshaft rotated until the compression stroke is felt (not the exhaust stroke) with your finger pressed against the spark plug hole in the head while making sure the timing mark is at TDC......then the rotor should be pointing toward the driver-side head at the #1 cylinder.
Then the new "Corrected Cap" is installed with the original internal parts from the "old" cap.
The "deal" is....the "Corrected Cap" has been re-wired/up-graded internally so that seven of the spark plug wires have to be "rearranged"------ #1 wire still plugs onto the dist. post that the rotor is pointing to.....THEN...the #3 wire plugs onto the post next to the #1 post BUT ON THE DRIVER-SIDE of the dist....THEN the #5 wire plugs onto the post next to the #3 wire STILL on the driver-side of the dist....THEN the #7 wire plugs onto the post next to the #5 wire STILL on the driver-side of the dist........This pattern keeps all the wires from crossing over each other. NEXT.....the right bank wires are installed in a #2/#4/#6/#8 sequence around the RIGHT side of the dist.....the #2 wire being the first wire to be plugged onto the front post of the dist on the passenger-side of the dist. followed by plugging the #2/#4/#6/#8 wires onto their post....which causes the passenger-side wires not to cross over each other.
It's really not a "necessary modification"....but looks much neater if you are not concerned about the car having a "factory look" under the hood.
Being a rookie I watched the video to see what the "deal" is about the "Corrected Cap".
It stated that the #1 spark plug (driver-side/front plug)has to be removed and the crankshaft rotated until the compression stroke is felt (not the exhaust stroke) with your finger pressed against the spark plug hole in the head while making sure the timing mark is at TDC......then the rotor should be pointing toward the driver-side head at the #1 cylinder.
Then the new "Corrected Cap" is installed with the original internal parts from the "old" cap.
The "deal" is....the "Corrected Cap" has been re-wired/up-graded internally so that seven of the spark plug wires have to be "rearranged"------ #1 wire still plugs onto the dist. post that the rotor is pointing to.....THEN...the #3 wire plugs onto the post next to the #1 post BUT ON THE DRIVER-SIDE of the dist....THEN the #5 wire plugs onto the post next to the #3 wire STILL on the driver-side of the dist....THEN the #7 wire plugs onto the post next to the #5 wire STILL on the driver-side of the dist........This pattern keeps all the wires from crossing over each other. NEXT.....the right bank wires are installed in a #2/#4/#6/#8 sequence around the RIGHT side of the dist.....the #2 wire being the first wire to be plugged onto the front post of the dist on the passenger-side of the dist. followed by plugging the #2/#4/#6/#8 wires onto their post....which causes the passenger-side wires not to cross over each other.
It's really not a "necessary modification"....but looks much neater if you are not concerned about the car having a "factory look" under the hood.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Corrected cap is so all odd numbered cylinders are from one side and all even numbered cylinders are from the other. This makes for a neater installation when not using ignition shielding. Does not matter where the rotor is when the cap is removed. What matters is that you understand the new firing order around the top of the cap. Engine is still 18436572. Some caps seem to be having cross firing problems due to the increased metal running around the top of the cap. mike...
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