Distributor: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

Distributor Assembly:

1. Remove distributor cap, leaving ignition coil and spark plug wires attached.
2. Mark the distributor housing in line with the tip of the rotor and also mark the engine block and distributor housing for future alignment.
3. Loosen and remove the distributor hold down bolt and clamp.
4. Carefully remove the distributor from the engine.

INSTALLATION


1. Carefully clean the cylinder block in the area of the distributor mounting.
2. Install a new distributor to block gasket in the engine blocks distributor counterbore.
3. If the engine was not rotated while the distributor was out, use the following procedure.
a. Using the alignment marks from removal, align the rotor with the distributor housing. Turn the rotor about 1/8th turn counterclockwise past the alignment marks.
b. Align the marks on the distributor housing and the engine block and install the distributor into the engine. Marks made in removal should be properly aligned. If not, rotate distributor as required.
NOTE: It may be necessary to move the rotor and shaft slightly to start the gear into mesh with the camshaft gear and to engage the oil pump drive tang, but the rotor should align with the marks when the distributor is in place.
c. Install the distributor hold-down clamp and bolt and tighten.
4. If the engine was rotated while the distributor was out use this procedure.
a. Remove the No.1 spark plug; hold a finger over the spark plug hole and rotate the engine until compression pressure is felt; slowly continue on damper aligns with the 0° mark on the timing scale. Do not rotate the engine backward to align the timing marks.

Oil Pump Gear Slot Position:

b. Rotate the oil pump gear so that the gear slot on the pump shaft is slightly past the 3 o'clock position. This can be done with a flat blade screwdriver.

Distributor Rotor Position Before Installation:

c. With the distributor cap removed, install the distributor with the rotor located at the 5 O'clock position.

Distributor Rotor Position After Installation:

d. When the distributor is fully engaged in its correct location, the rotor should be at the 6 o'clock position. Marks made in removal should be properly aligned. If not, rotate distributor as required.
e. Install the distributor hold-down clamp and bolt, but do not tighten bolt. Reinstall distributor cap.
5 Apply silicone dielectric compound or equivalent, to the connector terminal blades and cavities. Connect the distributor primary wiring connections.
6. Connect a suitable timing device, either a timing light to the number 1 spark plug, or probe in the timing probe socket.
7. START engine and operate at the specified idle rpm and observe the timing degree scale with the timing device. Rotate the distributor housing as needed to align the timing index on the vibration damper pulley with the correct mark on the timing degree scale. When the ignition timing is correct tighten the distributor hold down bolt. Recheck timing to ensure it did not change.
8. Disconnect the timing device.