Distributor is out and now I need to know which cylinder is number one. Is is passenger side or driver's side?

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91 rs, convertible, K&N, Edelbrock open element cleaner, 3.73, B&M mega-shifter, goodmark cowl-induction hood

 

#1 would be the plug on the drivers side towards the front

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-=ICON MOTORSPORTS=-

[This message has been edited by ede (edited October 15, 2000).]

 

Ok, now how exactly do I line up the distributor to get the car running?

 

match up the marks on the balancer at zero. make sure the valves are closed on #1. put the rotor pointing to #1 plug wire. put distributor in engine.

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-=ICON MOTORSPORTS=-

 

To elaborate a little...

I usually pull the #1 plug out (whichever cylinder is the farthest foward is #1)

Disable the ign. (pull the coil wire off)

While putting your finger in the #1 plug hole have someone bump the key until you feel compression pushing your finger.

Finish rotating the engine by hand until the timing marks line up at TDC.

Drop the dist in making sure to allow for the gear to mesh, so when its all the way down the rotor points at #1. (you must have the rotor a little ahead of #1 so it can mesh with the cam gear.)

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

GO #3

 

Ack, NO! Number one is the frontmost passenger side cylinder!

Okay, well technically it's that way on a 2.8, but there's no major differences between a 2.8 and 3.1. And yes, I am sure of #1 being the front passenger on a 2.8.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards