Distributor Cap Rotated 180 Degrees?!

MAS956 · 09-24-2006, 04:32 PM

So, in my continuing efforts to sleuth why my car passed CA smog with the slimmest of margins recently, I decided I would check my plug wire resisitance to see it they were still within spec (they were). I begin poking around and realize that one "clip" (actually more of a J hook affair) on the distributor was undone. A hah! sez me - that could help explain the high HC readings....

Anyway, as I was unhooking plug wires to test them, it dawned on me that I had a new cap and rotor I hadn't installed yet (yeah, I know I should have done that BEFORE smogging the car). As I was starting to hook things back up, I decided to consult the Bentley for double verification.

Darned if the cap port for plug one wasn't in the 2 o'clock position in the Bentley rather than the 8 o'clock position the PO (a p-mechanic, btw) had the cap in. So, if I can believe my eyes, I've been driving this thing for the last 18 months with the cap 180 degrees off.

Would the car actually run (as well as it has) with this error, and what sort of symptoms would it have if so? I'm beginning to not believe what I know I saw....

Thanks,

911pcars · 09-24-2006, 04:58 PM

It wouldn't be the first time something was installed incorrectly but worked. As you know, there's a notch in the cap that's suppose to line up with it's counterpart in the housing. I guess you managed to install, then insert the plug wires in the correct firing order. No harm, no foul.

Inspect the bottom of the cap and verify the rotor didn't trim any material away (and vice-versa). If okay, install the cap in the correct orientation, then reinstall the plug wires so the car doesn't run (just kidding).

Sherwood

MAS956 · 09-24-2006, 05:07 PM

The replacement cap and rotor were new, so no worries about excessive wear, etc.

A somewhat (now anyway) funny post mortem is that I buttoned it all up and fired it up and it ran like crap - uh oh, the PO/mechanic must've known something I didn't. On further inspection, it turns out that I had left #5 wire off the spark plug - apparently distracted by putting the airbox cover back on (a minor PITA with the 3.2s) after plugging #6 back in.

Anyway, it seems to idle well, etc. with that all sorted out. Haven't had a chance to road test....