So how do you get the distributor on "1" spark plug?

(2012-02-06 15:20:05)

1. Zack Says: ok so im changing a head or head gasket on my 1997 Isuzu Rodeo 2.6L 4 cylinder motor. and i cant get the EGR pipe off the intake. But i got it off the exhaust manifold.the EGR pipe goes around the back off the motor. and to take the intake off with the EGR pipe on it i will need to REMOVE the distributor so i need to get the intake off with the EGR pipe on it so when i take the intake off i can mostly likely get the EGR pipe off the intake. I got the 1st Piston TDC so does that mean that the rotor in the distributor cap is on "1" spark plug? and does the distributor need to be on "1" to be removed completely off the cylinder head to take off the EGR pipe. Its A JAP of CRAP is what i call an Isuzu rodeo

2. Michael S Says: If you are not going to mess with the timing belt, all you have to do is scribe the distributor position, and the rotor position and when you're done, put in back in according to your marks.

3. Bluto B Says: You need to be at TDC on the compression stroke. That means piston all the way up, Both valves closed on #1 cylinder. Mark both the distributor and rotor position and you're good. You can now recreate this arrangement when its time to reassemble.

4. bandit_60 Says: you get number 1 piston all the way up, take your hands and turn the crank to 0 on the timing scale, take the distributor and turn the rotor button to number 1 plug wire on the cap and drop it in.

5. Dan Says: What Bluto said.Some distributor shafts are slotted so that they will only go in one way.Not sure about yours.

6. paul h Says: There are two times in the crank rotation cycle of when the #1 piston is at TDC so just because it is at TDC does not mean the dist rotor will be pointing at the #1 spark plug wire of the cap...it could also be off by 180 degrees. In most cases, you want the dist rotor pointing at #1 cylinder plug wire post of the cap so that it's easier to reinstall and be accurate...and avoid problems on reinstallation....you can remove the distributor in any position...it's just easier to reinstall later and be sure of the correct rotor position.

You need to follow the plug wire from # 1 cylinder back to the cap and see which post is for # 1 wire/cylinder. Then remove the cap and see if the rotor is pointing to #1 when the #1 piston is at TDC....if so, then pull the distributor after referencing the position of the distributor body with the intake manifold...use a piece of chalk or yellow crayon and mark the dist body and manifold so you can line them both up again when reinstalling. If the rotor is not pointing at # 1 wire post , rotate the crank 180 degrees until you reach TDC again and recheck the position of the rotor...it should then be pointing at # 1 plug wire post of the cap.

Mark the exact point at which the rotor is facing on the dist body as well so that everything will line up when reinstalling. Note that the rotor may turn slightly when removing the dist so when you go to put it back in, make sure the rotor is turned slightly away from the #1 plug wire position...the same way it came out... so that as the dist drops in, the cam and dist gears will rotate the rotor back to the exact #1 position. That;s important since you can be off by one tooth if not done right which will cause problems.