88' 32V Rotor/Dist. Cap Install

[2Quick4u928]

Hey all, quick question, going way back to basics (Many years now on American muscle), I was about to install the rotor, but this is a totally different setup for me. I thinking there is no one position this needs to be in looking at the firing order (1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8) and the design of this motor for the dizzy install, I see no way to align the rotor to the particular firing order...am I correct in my assumption? Of course nothing that I also saw in the shop manual unless I overlooked it...Thanks.

Pat

[Mrmerlin]

the way the rotors work in conjunction with the ignition system is that each distributor runs 2 sets of plugs on each bank of cylinders.
This effectively gives the car 2 four cylinder engines combined in one block.
That said there is only one way that the rotors will screw onto the fronts of the cam pulleys.
If you have doubt simply put the engine at TDC then remove both of the caps both of the rotors should be pointing to the driverside of the car or about 3 O clock position.
Also if you look carefully on the front of the timing belt covers just above the cap mount point there are wiring indicators that tell of the correct placement of the plug wires for each cap, they are not well defined but they are there.
Also pay careful attention to the coil wire leads as the wire and the ends can corrode or be worn down from rubbing on the chassis . Inspect both ends of each coil wire, any that are not clean should be replaced as well as the respective coil connection cleaned out

[2Quick4u928]

Appreciate the feedback....Have had these off for a few years and am now re-installing but did not find any reference. Do have motor at TDC currently, and saw that these rotors will install at 3 different positions thus the confusion. Will set both however at the 3' O'Clock position and run from there.

Have been going through each wire etc individually to make sure all is ok as with the dizzy cap for cleanup of carbon. Have found on the wires on some that have the extra plastic protector that these have cracked/broken due to the heat etc. I have would tightly black electrical tape so not 1/2 presentable in comparison to the past.
Again thank you for the feedback, will install now.

[Mrmerlin]

well even if you dont have the cams/engine at TDC the rotors will only fit on one way, the bolts are the alignment locators

[2Quick4u928]

thanks...Believe when I attempted a few days ago, I only screwed in 2 fasteners a little not all 3, of course this would make the difference hehe, thanks!!