Hello!
I recently changed the spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotor on a 1985 TA. A few issues have arisen.

It idles great, but when I rev it or accelerate the tach needle goes up in a shaky way, not smooth as it was. I made sure that the connection was secure to the aftermarket tach (just a wire connection to the distributor cap). I'm not sure what could be causing this shakiness when revving and the needle is mostly smooth at idle.

Additionally, I also found that it is leaking fuel out of a small part near the smog pump. This part has three connections but I am not sure what it does. I'm also not sure if it's related to the recent tune up but it was not doing this before.

Could all of this be coming from not timing the distributor cap correctly? OR could it be some sort of vacuum leak?

Thank you all for your help!

 

That "small part" is your fuel pump! If its leaking check the clamps on the hoses or just replace it. They don't cost much.

As for the tach, probably someone more knowledgeable, but i would check the wire that its not getting feedback from the coil or spark plug wires. Also the check RF filter on the distributor.

If you didn't rotate the distributor while swapping the cap/rotor then you didn't change the timing, so the timing shouldn't be the issue.

 

When you rev it above idle, and the tach wavers, is the engine revving perfectly smooth or is it "skipping" (bucking, hesitating, whatever what one might call it)? If it's misfiring, then you've either got two spark plug wires mixed up, or one of your new plugs/wires may be defective.

You do not "time a distributor cap", you time the distributor itself, which as 84 1LE pointed out doesn't need timing unless you've loosened the bolt holding it down and turned it. The cap is indexed so it'll only go on the distributor one way.

Also, as 84 1LE said, replace your fuel pump, and no, doing the cap, rotor, wires, and plugs did NOT cause it to start leaking, it's just your car's way of demanding some wrenchin love......