on a 1991 TPI. Trying to adjust timing. I quit last night because it got too dark out but I had the cap off and all the wires unplugged. I disconnected the coil from its mounting bracket to reach the distrib bolt, and a couple of vacuum lines.

Got it all back together today but the dist is still loose b/c I still need to adjust timing. I dont remember the exact position the distrib was at. Now trying to start it and the engine cranks and makes a knocking noise but doesnt turn over.

Whats the best way to handle this?

 

Did you retard the timing too much? I did the same thing but the car would start after awhile but it would take forever. I simply turned the distributor to advance the timing and kept trying until it started. At that point I hooked up the timing light to get it right.

 

I think its probably retarded too much. Do you advance timing by turning it clockwise as you are looking at the engine?

Thanks for the help btw. Gotta get this thing running tonight.

Also once you got it to run and then adjust the timing, what was the best way to mark the distributor so you knew exactly where to hold it while tightening the hold down bolt?

 

Get help. Have a buddy hold the timing light while you dial the distributor in to where it's good. Leave the wrench on the bolt head and have it just BARELY loose, so when you get the distributor just right, just give it a good crank with your free hand to lock it down, and verify it's at the right spot with the light in case your buddy has bad eyes.

Dont forget, you need to disconnect the EST connector prior to starting the car, to get your base timing.

 

Double checked all my connections. Still wouldnt start with someone turning/advancing the distributor. Pulled the cap and the rotor was spinning freely, the little tooth inside the broke off. So now to autozone to get a new rotor.

I know the rotor will go on one way. But as my distrib is loosened, now what do i do. The rotor should point to cylinder number 1 right? and then the cap should go on with the number 1 spark plug pointing to cylinder number one?

 

it shoulden't matter as long as you haven't taken the dizzy out.

 

clockwise = retard timing
counter clockwise = advance timing

 

Whew!!!! Put that new rotor back on, put it all back together and she fired right up boys. Had a neighbor check timing while i rotated the dist and tightened it down. Sitting pretty at 6* timing.

If i had never bothered to check the timing after the engine was installed (they had me at 14*), i never would have found that broken rotor.

Just got to bolt down the coil and take it for a test drive.

Really appreciate everyones help!