Distributor: Did I make a mistake?

[shrouded]

Well, I have finally made it to the reassembly of the chain tensioner update on my 82 SC.

When I pulled the distributor off, the engine was @ Z1 & the rotor was just barely off of the notch beneath the tube plug #1. With the distributor now back on, the rotor doesn't point at the notch anymore. Rotating the housing around, about the closest I can get it is having the rotor around #6 (with the distributor rotated as far counterclockwise as it will go).

What did I do wrong here? Is this something that I will be able to adjust out when I take the timing light to it? How can I get it back as it was?

Thanks--

[MotoSook]

Slide the dist. up and rotate the gear on notch.

[shrouded]

I was hoping to hear a simple solution. Thanks for the info.

I've learned a lot since I started this Saturday, & I get the feeling the learning is gonna keep going for years to come...

[Chas911]

Not exactly sure where you are missing it here. But if you set #1 cylinder to TDC on the compression stroke you should be able to put the distributor in with the rotor pointing to the #1 plug wire and you should be there.

To find compression stroke on #1 cylinder without pulling a valve cover, you can loosely screw in a spark plug so air can still get past, or push in a push type compression tester but it has to be kind of long, or screw in a threaded compression tester. Then turn the motor over by hand until you hear hissing or see the compression tester needle start moving. Then keep turning the engine until Z1 TDC is lined up.

Hope this helps.

[PatrickM]

I had my distributor out of the engine as well. I put it back in with the rotor pointing toward the notch(#1 plug wire)with the
crank pully at TDC. If I was off by one tooth, would the car not start? The car cranks and cranks and cranks and just won't fire. Smells like gas too, so I havta guess it's not a fuel supply problem.

Thanks....