Distributor/timing problems....
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Joined: Oct 2002
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Distributor/timing problems....
Well...finally got the plugs, wires, cap and rotor changed last week. Also "reset" the firing order (I'll get to that). Went to start it up, and nothing. So after telling my friend that #1 plug was in the cap where #6 was supposed to be, he swapped the wires to opposite sides. Apparently, whomever pulled the distributor last put it in 1/2 turn out. Now I have to go in and fix it 
Because my car runs like crap right now...
How long should this crap take me? And, most important...it's easy to do without a lift, right? (I want to try and do it away from work).
I'm so pissed. I havn't driven my car on the street since the night I picked it up Like...3 weeks ago.
Because my car runs like crap right now...How long should this crap take me? And, most important...it's easy to do without a lift, right? (I want to try and do it away from work).
I'm so pissed. I havn't driven my car on the street since the night I picked it up
Like...3 weeks ago. 
Supreme Member
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,183
Likes: 42
From: Oakdale, Ca
Car: 89 IrocZ
Engine: L98-ish
Transmission: 700R4
Do a search for "how to find TDC for #1"
Then search for "V8 Firing Order"
You'll find how to put the engine at TDC for #1 firing, then route the plug wires accordingly.
Good luck, shouldn't take more than an hour to get done and tidied up.
Then search for "V8 Firing Order"
You'll find how to put the engine at TDC for #1 firing, then route the plug wires accordingly.
Good luck, shouldn't take more than an hour to get done and tidied up.
Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 242
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From: Warren, OH
Dude! Don't get all fired up over a small timing issue. It's real simple. I know a lot of people that don't retime their engine for the pointer on the rotor to point at number one, I even do it sometimes.
You're going to need a timing light to get it precise. There are two different ways you can find TDC.
1. Pull the spark plug on number one and disconnect the battery. Turn the engine over slowly by hand. Put your finger in the spark plug hole and watch the balancer as it comes to the 0 degrees mark on the timing tab. If it hits O degrees and sucks your finger in, you have to go another 360 degrees of rotation. You want to have air blow out of the spark plug hole.
2. Take the valve cover off and watch the valve springs as you turn the engine over by hand and watch the balancer. What you want to watch for is the number one cylinder exhaust valve to open and close, once it's closed, both valves should be closed. That's TDC.
Now that you've found TDC, make sure the notch in the balancer is lined up at 0 degrees. Stab the oil pump to line it up with the distributor (use the longest flat head screw driver you have, and be careful not to drop anything in that hole!). Then drop the distributor in with the rotor pointing towards number one. Make sure the distributor is seated all the way, or else you'll be doing this a couple of times. Now that it's dropped in, just snug the hold down bolt enough that it won't jump out and enough so you could still turn the distributor to dial it in. Then put the cap, and wires back on. Now depending on your application, if it's a TPI, disconnect a tan and brown wire up by your air conditioning unit and fire the car. Hook up the timing light and time it to spec, mine was 6 degrees advanced (advance is toward the passenger side past the O degree mark and retard is to the driverside past the 0 degree mark). Once you have it where you want it, tighten the hold down bolt, turn off the engine, disconnect the battery to clear the computer and reconnect the tan and brown wire. Wait about 5 to 10 minutes to reconnect the battery and you'll be on your way. It shouldn't take any more than 30 minutes, but if it takes longer it's ok.
You're going to need a timing light to get it precise. There are two different ways you can find TDC.
1. Pull the spark plug on number one and disconnect the battery. Turn the engine over slowly by hand. Put your finger in the spark plug hole and watch the balancer as it comes to the 0 degrees mark on the timing tab. If it hits O degrees and sucks your finger in, you have to go another 360 degrees of rotation. You want to have air blow out of the spark plug hole.
2. Take the valve cover off and watch the valve springs as you turn the engine over by hand and watch the balancer. What you want to watch for is the number one cylinder exhaust valve to open and close, once it's closed, both valves should be closed. That's TDC.
Now that you've found TDC, make sure the notch in the balancer is lined up at 0 degrees. Stab the oil pump to line it up with the distributor (use the longest flat head screw driver you have, and be careful not to drop anything in that hole!). Then drop the distributor in with the rotor pointing towards number one. Make sure the distributor is seated all the way, or else you'll be doing this a couple of times. Now that it's dropped in, just snug the hold down bolt enough that it won't jump out and enough so you could still turn the distributor to dial it in. Then put the cap, and wires back on. Now depending on your application, if it's a TPI, disconnect a tan and brown wire up by your air conditioning unit and fire the car. Hook up the timing light and time it to spec, mine was 6 degrees advanced (advance is toward the passenger side past the O degree mark and retard is to the driverside past the 0 degree mark). Once you have it where you want it, tighten the hold down bolt, turn off the engine, disconnect the battery to clear the computer and reconnect the tan and brown wire. Wait about 5 to 10 minutes to reconnect the battery and you'll be on your way. It shouldn't take any more than 30 minutes, but if it takes longer it's ok.
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
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No no no...I already found TDC. 
Car hasa chrome timing cover, and we thought it was off, so we did the screwdriver in the spark plug hole thing to find it. Turns out it was right on.
But...Whoever took the distributor out before (previous owner) didn't put it back in right. They put it in exactly opposite. So now I have to go in and pull the distributor out, turn it exactly 180*, and replace. The only difficulty I'm having is that it's at work. So I can't work on it when I get out because it's too dark, and I can't get it done AT work because we're now a mechanic short, until next week. And the tech I was hoping would help me said today that he thinks there's a coolant leak, and it could be the head gasket AND I wanted my car all registered and insured by next week, because next friday my g/f goes to Alaska for 4-5 months, and I wanted to be able to take her around in it before she goes
I'd just attach plates to get it to my house, but I don't have anywhere to work on it here either...
It's all quite craptacular
Car hasa chrome timing cover, and we thought it was off, so we did the screwdriver in the spark plug hole thing to find it. Turns out it was right on. But...Whoever took the distributor out before (previous owner) didn't put it back in right. They put it in exactly opposite. So now I have to go in and pull the distributor out, turn it exactly 180*, and replace. The only difficulty I'm having is that it's at work. So I can't work on it when I get out because it's too dark, and I can't get it done AT work because we're now a mechanic short, until next week. And the tech I was hoping would help me said today that he thinks there's a coolant leak, and it could be the head gasket
AND I wanted my car all registered and insured by next week, because next friday my g/f goes to Alaska for 4-5 months, and I wanted to be able to take her around in it before she goes I'd just attach plates to get it to my house, but I don't have anywhere to work on it here either...
It's all quite craptacular
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