Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right?
Quick question.
With cylinder #1 at TDC (the damper mark is at '0') and the distributor in place, should the rotor be pointing to the #1 cylinder, or should it be pointing a bit ahead (towards the front of the engine) or a bit behind (towards cylinder #3)?
I just put my distributor back into my L98 and when I first pulled it out, I could swear it was pointing straight at the #1 cylinder. But now it looks like it's pointing towards #3. When I tried to rotate the distributor by one tooth clockwise, it was pointing WELL past the #1 cylinder.
What gives? Am I OK, or am I just loosing my mind?!?
Thanks.
With cylinder #1 at TDC (the damper mark is at '0') and the distributor in place, should the rotor be pointing to the #1 cylinder, or should it be pointing a bit ahead (towards the front of the engine) or a bit behind (towards cylinder #3)?
I just put my distributor back into my L98 and when I first pulled it out, I could swear it was pointing straight at the #1 cylinder. But now it looks like it's pointing towards #3. When I tried to rotate the distributor by one tooth clockwise, it was pointing WELL past the #1 cylinder.
What gives? Am I OK, or am I just loosing my mind?!?
Thanks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 6
From: NW MN
Re: Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right? (TheCorvetteKid)
You are losing your mind! I think you are OK and are second guessing yourself to death. I've never taken a straightsedge to see if it aligns perfectly with #1 just always noticed it was in the general direction of that cylinder. Good luck!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Joppa Md
Re: (scorp508)
Quote: Well... your off by more than one then so you can't really do the "move the plugs one terminal trick". Make sure you get it close before firing her up.
:iagree:
[Modified by sumoboy, 8:34 PM 4/19/2003]
:iagree:
[Modified by sumoboy, 8:34 PM 4/19/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: West Sacramento CA
Re: Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right? (TheCorvetteKid)
I have an 88 and I fought with this one myself not too long ago. Have someone turn the engine over for you while you put your finger over the number one cylinder with the spark plug removed. As soon as you feel the piston come up on the power stroke align the mark on the harmonic balancer with 0 degrees on the timing marks. Look at where your rotor is pointing. Now the manual states that the distributor should be pointing between number one and number 8 tower. I dropped my distributor in where the rotor was basically pointing straight ahead, almost dead center between 1 and 8. In my way of thinking, the rotor should be pointing to number one but believe me I tried all the various combinations. The position that worked was the one I just mentioned above. My engine fires up great at position.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Re: Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right? (TheCorvetteKid)
Slightly past #1 towards #8 @ TDC is how my '89 lines up, and if you're well ahead of #1 now, you may be off a tooth (which I've done more times than I wish to admit to by not realigning the pump shaft). I finally marked the correct alignment from the rotor on the manifold with a marker pen and then made it permanent with a Dremel.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: winter haven fl
Re: Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right? (TheCorvetteKid)
pull number 1 plug the front plug on the drivers side.put your finger over the plug hole have someone turn over the engine untill you fill compressed air in that cylinder. if you have the valve covers off both valves should be closed you can tell if they are closed by watching them move as you turn over the engine,they should both be up if one is down then you are 180 out go one more turn on the pulley. try the distributer if it falls into place it should be toward number one cylinder .be sure it goes all the way down if it doesn't then pull it back out and get a long screw driver and put the point down into the opening and ture the oil pump shaft until it lines up so the distruibuter look at the bottom of the distributer to tell this, it should be split on the bottom of the shaft, will go in check the timing mark on the camshaft pulley it should be on number one . :chevy :auto:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,581
Likes: 2
From: The Motor City
Re: Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right? (r15752)
Uh, guys? I don't think I made myself clear here.
I didn't mean that the rotor was pointing at #1 or #3 cylinder of the distrubutor posts. I mean #1 or #3 CYLINDER - as in where the pistons themselves are.
Like I said, when I pulled the distributor out of the car, the rotor was pointing at the #1 cylinder itself. Now that it's back in, it seems to be pointing between the #1 and the #3 cylinders (they are next to one another). When I tried to reposition the distributor one tooth, it was pointing well past the #1 cylinder.
I have a feeling it's fine where it is - maybe I am was just being paranoid.
Sorry for the confusion, and thanks for all the great responses.
I didn't mean that the rotor was pointing at #1 or #3 cylinder of the distrubutor posts. I mean #1 or #3 CYLINDER - as in where the pistons themselves are.
Like I said, when I pulled the distributor out of the car, the rotor was pointing at the #1 cylinder itself. Now that it's back in, it seems to be pointing between the #1 and the #3 cylinders (they are next to one another). When I tried to reposition the distributor one tooth, it was pointing well past the #1 cylinder.
I have a feeling it's fine where it is - maybe I am was just being paranoid.
Sorry for the confusion, and thanks for all the great responses.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right? (TheCorvetteKid)
All that matters is that when you're at TDC#1, the rotor tip is pointing at the #1 terminal position; you rotate the distributor body to line them up.
If the shaft is off by a tooth it just means your distributor body will be lined up different than it was before. I was thinking of turning my HEI around to face the pass side where my ignition box is; won't matter as long as the rotor lines up with the terminal I designate to be #1 when at TDC.
If the shaft is off by a tooth it just means your distributor body will be lined up different than it was before. I was thinking of turning my HEI around to face the pass side where my ignition box is; won't matter as long as the rotor lines up with the terminal I designate to be #1 when at TDC.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, South Carolina, USA
Re: Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right? (TheCorvetteKid)
If you have the engine at TDC on number 1 and it is ready for fire then the rotor neads to be pointing at #1 on the cap not between number 1 and 3, if it does not then you have it wrong, it sounds you are off one.
Jay
Jay
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Re: Wait a sec., did I install the distributor right? (MrJay)
Not sure that intake your running, but if you are off a tooth you may not have enough room to retard the timing if needed because the square part of the cap that has the plugs will interfere with the intake.
The rotor should be relatively pointing toward cylinder #1, then put the cap on and see where post one when directly infront of the rotor, is located. If if looks like you can move the cap either way for adjustment with no interference, then you have it licked. If its one way more than the other. Pull out the distributer and try it on a different tooth.
Also MAKE sure it is fully seated down. I usually grab the rotor and twist it back and forth, many times its not fully ingaged on the cam gear, this usually allows the distributer to drop another 1/8" and move the rotor a little too.
Don't make it harder than it needs to be. I remember doing mine the first time. I thought i would never get it right, but when I actually did it I saw how easy it was. Don't be afraid to pull it out a few times to see the difference a tooth or two makes. It should be very clear after that where it needs to be.
:cheers:
[Modified by ski_dwn_it, 12:06 PM 4/21/2003]
The rotor should be relatively pointing toward cylinder #1, then put the cap on and see where post one when directly infront of the rotor, is located. If if looks like you can move the cap either way for adjustment with no interference, then you have it licked. If its one way more than the other. Pull out the distributer and try it on a different tooth.
Also MAKE sure it is fully seated down. I usually grab the rotor and twist it back and forth, many times its not fully ingaged on the cam gear, this usually allows the distributer to drop another 1/8" and move the rotor a little too.
Don't make it harder than it needs to be. I remember doing mine the first time. I thought i would never get it right, but when I actually did it I saw how easy it was. Don't be afraid to pull it out a few times to see the difference a tooth or two makes. It should be very clear after that where it needs to be.
:cheers:
[Modified by ski_dwn_it, 12:06 PM 4/21/2003]
