I decided it was time to change the spark plugs, and while I was at it I may as well change the rotor and distributor cap. It's a 1986 Camaro with a 2.8 liter v6 mpfi.
The back mounting screw on the old distributor cap broke off in the hole and I can't get it out.
When I finished up, the car wouldn't start, and it kind of backfired a couple of times. I looked in my Hanes maunual, and apperently I had re-installed the spark plug wires in the wrong order. I put it right, but it still runs really choppy. It's as if it's got a blown valve, or a blown piston. Is it possible that the cap needs to be completely sealed to run right? Did I blow something when I had the motor going with the wrong timing? The cap doesn't rotate like on older vehicles, is it possible that I've still got the rotation wrong? Please help.

 

its gotta be in the timing

 

check the spark plug wire order on the cap and the plugs. I know from experience. It will run, but not well.

EDIT: Oops, didn't read completely. Probably timing. Check the order again. I thought I had it right when it happened to me.

EDIT II: I've seen wrong firing orders in Chilton's manuals. Could be a possibility in the Haynes, though I've never seen it.

 

Go inside and drink a beer. Then go back to car and re-check the plug wires. I've checked them and re-checked them before and still had it wrong!


If it's running at all, you probably only have 2 wires swapped.

If the dist cap cracked, it will cause problems, especially the first time it gets wet (or even damp).

As for the hold-down screw, you may have enough screw sticking up after cap is removed to unscrew it with vise-grips.
If it's broken off inside the dist base and you can't get a hold of it, you'll probably have to drill it out and re-tap the hole. You might be able to get a nut on the back if it's accessable.

At any rate, the distributor needs to be held securely in place.

It's highly unlikely you have done any major eng damage.