Firing order
Firing order
Just swapped out distributor, from a cc to a non cc. but now it won't start. My car is a 86 the distributor I put in is from a 79. my question is, is there any difference in firing order between the 86 a 79 distributors???? Thanks Petrella.
Petrella,
If you still can't get spark, remember that the 1986 distributor (specifically the HEI module in the distributor) uses an ESC, whereas the 1979 distributor will not (unless it came from an Eldorado or Toronado with the Misar spark system). You may have some wiring issues. A quick indication would be that the 1981-later ignitions used a 7-connection HEI amplifier/switch module, wheras the pre-1981 modules had four connections (again, disregarding the Misar system).
As for the static timing, as long as the timing indicator on the harmonic balancer is pretty close to being correct, set it at TDC of the #1 clyinder, then check the distributor rotor position. The rotor should be physically pointing almost directly to the #1 cylinder on the compression stroke and 180° away from the #1 cylinder on the exhaust stroke. If the static timing is correct, that's all you can do until the engine starts.
You can still check for ANY spark by removing a plug wire and using a spark tester or holding it within a ¼" of a good ground. Remember that you are dealing with a potential for over 40,000 volts, so use caution. Regardless of correct static timing, you should get some spark if the distributor is wired correctly.
If you still can't get spark, remember that the 1986 distributor (specifically the HEI module in the distributor) uses an ESC, whereas the 1979 distributor will not (unless it came from an Eldorado or Toronado with the Misar spark system). You may have some wiring issues. A quick indication would be that the 1981-later ignitions used a 7-connection HEI amplifier/switch module, wheras the pre-1981 modules had four connections (again, disregarding the Misar system).
As for the static timing, as long as the timing indicator on the harmonic balancer is pretty close to being correct, set it at TDC of the #1 clyinder, then check the distributor rotor position. The rotor should be physically pointing almost directly to the #1 cylinder on the compression stroke and 180° away from the #1 cylinder on the exhaust stroke. If the static timing is correct, that's all you can do until the engine starts.
You can still check for ANY spark by removing a plug wire and using a spark tester or holding it within a ¼" of a good ground. Remember that you are dealing with a potential for over 40,000 volts, so use caution. Regardless of correct static timing, you should get some spark if the distributor is wired correctly.
The firing orders are the same. If you installed it in the same position (assuming it is functional) it should start up easily.
Hopefully you didn't pick up a 229 (V-6) distributor by mistake
Hopefully you didn't pick up a 229 (V-6) distributor by mistake
NO, it came out of 79 Z28. I forgot to ask in my first post, Can anyone tell me the correct firing order on the distributor or direct to a web page that will show it, just to make sure the way I did it was right. Thanks again.
One more question, can I just use the factory distributor from my 86 or is that one consider CC?
One more question, can I just use the factory distributor from my 86 or is that one consider CC?
Last edited by Petrella; Feb 24, 2002 at 09:28 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post









