Please advice easy question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
Please advice easy question
I need someone to tell me. where on the distributor cap. on my 1986 vette .spark plug wire number (1) go
I been having some problems with the ignition. and I see a couple of diagrams but not really sure where number 1 wire go on the cap.
I suspect, my are not in the correct place. please advice.
............................look like it was not easy question after all..................
I been having some problems with the ignition. and I see a couple of diagrams but not really sure where number 1 wire go on the cap.
I suspect, my are not in the correct place. please advice.
............................look like it was not easy question after all..................
Last edited by hitmanpty; Sep 26, 2011 at 11:02 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,304
Likes: 240
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
#1 wire can go wherever on the cap, it just depends on where #1 TDC was when the wires were installed..
Your best bet would be to find TDC #1 and rewire it.
Here is where #1 is when the factory wired it.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Spark...g%20Wiring.pdf
Your best bet would be to find TDC #1 and rewire it.
Here is where #1 is when the factory wired it.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Spark...g%20Wiring.pdf
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
#1 wire can go wherever on the cap, it just depends on where #1 TDC was when the wires were installed..
Your best bet would be to find TDC #1 and rewire it.
Here is where #1 is when the factory wired it.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Spark...g%20Wiring.pdf
Your best bet would be to find TDC #1 and rewire it.
Here is where #1 is when the factory wired it.
http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Spark...g%20Wiring.pdf
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
sorry i can show my cap pics I have them on my phone for some reazon is not working right now.
any way here is a pic of a distributor cap I copy from this forum. is clearly mark where the number one wire is.
in my cap I have number (8) wire on that position. and from there follow the fireing order. 8,1,2,7,5,6,3,4
[IMG]
[/IMG]
any way here is a pic of a distributor cap I copy from this forum. is clearly mark where the number one wire is.
in my cap I have number (8) wire on that position. and from there follow the fireing order. 8,1,2,7,5,6,3,4
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
First thing to do to make sure your spark is set up correctly, TDC is the place to start. Pull out the #1 plug and have a buddy sit there with his finger in the hole (or just a wad of something. Make sure it doesn't go in!). rotate the engine manually until there is pressure. Once there is pressure, rotate the motor until the balancer mark lines up with the guide plate at 6*. pop off the distro cap and make sure that the rotating assembly is pointing at your #1 contact point.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 838
Likes: 2
From: Louisville Ky
[QUOTE=hitmanpty;1578791998]sorry i can show my cap pics I have them on my phone for some reazon is not working right now.
any way here is a pic of a distributor cap I copy from this forum. is clearly mark where the number one wire is.
in my cap I have number (8) wire on that position. and from there follow the fireing order. 8,1,2,7,5,6,3,4
the order is correct, assuming you are reading it counter clockwise, CCW. if reading CW there is no way the engine could run.
Have you or someone changed the wire positions? because the picture that was posted of your engine recently showed the order correct, at least for 1, 2, possibly 8 and 3.
apparently the dist was installed out of position and wires were moved to compensate, which is not a fuctional problem. reinstalling the distributor may best be left to someone who has the experience.
any way here is a pic of a distributor cap I copy from this forum. is clearly mark where the number one wire is.
in my cap I have number (8) wire on that position. and from there follow the fireing order. 8,1,2,7,5,6,3,4
the order is correct, assuming you are reading it counter clockwise, CCW. if reading CW there is no way the engine could run.
Have you or someone changed the wire positions? because the picture that was posted of your engine recently showed the order correct, at least for 1, 2, possibly 8 and 3.
apparently the dist was installed out of position and wires were moved to compensate, which is not a fuctional problem. reinstalling the distributor may best be left to someone who has the experience.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
First thing to do to make sure your spark is set up correctly, TDC is the place to start. Pull out the #1 plug and have a buddy sit there with his finger in the hole (or just a wad of something. Make sure it doesn't go in!). rotate the engine manually until there is pressure. Once there is pressure, rotate the motor until the balancer mark lines up with the guide plate at 6*. pop off the distro cap and make sure that the rotating assembly is pointing at your #1 contact point.
then rotated engine a little more to get to 6* BTDC.
what this will tell meon relation with the distributor cap?????
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
The picture you have is correct position and firing order (18436572).
The distributor can only engage the oil pump drive two ways when the #1 TDC mark is at the 0-mark on the balancer tab. It will point to number 1 or number 6 post on the distributor.
If it runs, the tdc was for the correct cylinder. If you didn't know, the cam rotates half the speed as the crank so you have to rotate the crank twice to get 360 deg rotation on the distributor. The other tdc is for #6 cylinder. You just have to watch the valves to determine which cylinder is on compression stroke (#1 or #6).
Yours is right, you only need to adjust timing properly. There is a procedure to disconnect one wire to disable the computer advance so you can set the base timing. It is different for certain years, but you don't need any more than 10 degrees initial.
The distributor can only engage the oil pump drive two ways when the #1 TDC mark is at the 0-mark on the balancer tab. It will point to number 1 or number 6 post on the distributor.
If it runs, the tdc was for the correct cylinder. If you didn't know, the cam rotates half the speed as the crank so you have to rotate the crank twice to get 360 deg rotation on the distributor. The other tdc is for #6 cylinder. You just have to watch the valves to determine which cylinder is on compression stroke (#1 or #6).
Yours is right, you only need to adjust timing properly. There is a procedure to disconnect one wire to disable the computer advance so you can set the base timing. It is different for certain years, but you don't need any more than 10 degrees initial.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
The picture you have is correct position and firing order (18436572).
The distributor can only engage the oil pump drive two ways when the #1 TDC mark is at the 0-mark on the balancer tab. It will point to number 1 or number 6 post on the distributor.
If it runs, the tdc was for the correct cylinder. If you didn't know, the cam rotates half the speed as the crank so you have to rotate the crank twice to get 360 deg rotation on the distributor. The other tdc is for #6 cylinder. You just have to watch the valves to determine which cylinder is on compression stroke (#1 or #6).
Yours is right, you only need to adjust timing properly. There is a procedure to disconnect one wire to disable the computer advance so you can set the base timing. It is different for certain years, but you don't need any more than 10 degrees initial.
The distributor can only engage the oil pump drive two ways when the #1 TDC mark is at the 0-mark on the balancer tab. It will point to number 1 or number 6 post on the distributor.
If it runs, the tdc was for the correct cylinder. If you didn't know, the cam rotates half the speed as the crank so you have to rotate the crank twice to get 360 deg rotation on the distributor. The other tdc is for #6 cylinder. You just have to watch the valves to determine which cylinder is on compression stroke (#1 or #6).
Yours is right, you only need to adjust timing properly. There is a procedure to disconnect one wire to disable the computer advance so you can set the base timing. It is different for certain years, but you don't need any more than 10 degrees initial.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
At that point the contact on the rotating assembly inside will be touching the contact post for cylinder #1. You have to take the top off the distro to see and confirm it. If it's not, then you have to pull and readjust it or move the cables. I suggest taking the top off and getting the distributor sitting as it is supposed to.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
this is my engine. if you compare to the original photo on top. number 1 position have number 8 cilinder in my.
my car is not start at this time.
I all ready change spark plugs and wires.this is an old photo.. but I use the same patern to conect the new wireing.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
my car is not start at this time.
I all ready change spark plugs and wires.this is an old photo.. but I use the same patern to conect the new wireing.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
this is my engine. if you compare to the original photo on top. number 1 position have number 8 cilinder in my.
my car is not start at this time.
I all ready change spark plugs and wires.this is an old photo.. but I use the same patern to conect the new wireing.
[IMG][/IMG]
my car is not start at this time.
I all ready change spark plugs and wires.this is an old photo.. but I use the same patern to conect the new wireing.
[IMG]
[/IMG]my engine look a lot better now. remember this is and old photo. taking the day I first got the car
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 194
Likes: 20
From: Conroe, Texas
May I make two suggestions that will save you a lot of time and frustration.
1. Locate and purchase the factory service manual for your vehicle. eBay will be a good source. Once you get the FSM...you will wonder why that wasn't your first purchase.
2. Find yourself a good mechanic that can help you get the car set-up and running. Once the vehicle is running then you can take over and get many things done yourself using the FSM.
I am a new Vette owner and the FSM was my first purchase.
Again.....just a few suggestions.
1. Locate and purchase the factory service manual for your vehicle. eBay will be a good source. Once you get the FSM...you will wonder why that wasn't your first purchase.
2. Find yourself a good mechanic that can help you get the car set-up and running. Once the vehicle is running then you can take over and get many things done yourself using the FSM.
I am a new Vette owner and the FSM was my first purchase.
Again.....just a few suggestions.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: panama panama
May I make two suggestions that will save you a lot of time and frustration.
1. Locate and purchase the factory service manual for your vehicle. eBay will be a good source. Once you get the FSM...you will wonder why that wasn't your first purchase.
2. Find yourself a good mechanic that can help you get the car set-up and running. Once the vehicle is running then you can take over and get many things done yourself using the FSM.
I am a new Vette owner and the FSM was my first purchase.
Again.....just a few suggestions.
1. Locate and purchase the factory service manual for your vehicle. eBay will be a good source. Once you get the FSM...you will wonder why that wasn't your first purchase.
2. Find yourself a good mechanic that can help you get the car set-up and running. Once the vehicle is running then you can take over and get many things done yourself using the FSM.
I am a new Vette owner and the FSM was my first purchase.
Again.....just a few suggestions.
[/IMG]
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Looks like an awful long plug>?!
No 1 wire is typically where the no 8 is. (your #2 wire would go where #1 is now) then move the rest over 1 accordingly. If it doesnt start then find TDC then see where your rotor is pointing. Should be towards the #1 cylinder
No 1 wire is typically where the no 8 is. (your #2 wire would go where #1 is now) then move the rest over 1 accordingly. If it doesnt start then find TDC then see where your rotor is pointing. Should be towards the #1 cylinder
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
If I recall, 1986 engines had iron heads early in the year & aluminum later. You have iron heads because the valve covers are perimeter bolt design not centerbolt. Either way, those long threaded plugs are not correct. Be sure you have the right plugs before going any further.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Bowling Green Ky
sorry i can show my cap pics I have them on my phone for some reazon is not working right now.
any way here is a pic of a distributor cap I copy from this forum. is clearly mark where the number one wire is.
in my cap I have number (8) wire on that position. and from there follow the fireing order. 8,1,2,7,5,6,3,4
[IMG][/IMG]
any way here is a pic of a distributor cap I copy from this forum. is clearly mark where the number one wire is.
in my cap I have number (8) wire on that position. and from there follow the fireing order. 8,1,2,7,5,6,3,4
[IMG]
[/IMG]