How do you get the distributor on "1" spark plug?
(2012-02-06 15:20:08) 1. Says: The distributor does not know or care which one is #1. On any distributor #1 is what ever terminal you attach the wire that goes to the #1 spark plug. The factories did normally have a specific layout for the wires so they would be consistent and all the wires would reach and look nice. Its also true that on SOME models the #1 terminal does point to the #1 cylinder but this is not the case on all models. Besides the wire length there can be physical limitations with clearances of various parts on the engine that will limit possible positions.Best thing to do is mark things before you take anything apart but if that didnt happen you have to then start fresh and put the engine in a known position then insert the distributor or move the wires to match the position. You can usually use the timing marks on the crank pulley to determine TDC for #1. Thing people forget is #1 will be at TDC twice. Once for the exhaust stroke and once for the compression stroke which is where you want the spark. On most engines the easiest way to determine this is to remove the #1 spark plug. Hold your finger over it and then have someone bump the starter. When the timing mark comes close to the mark on the compression stroke you will feel air coming out the hole. When its on the exhaust stroke you wont feel anything. You can go around several times if you have to to feel the difference and try to land it close to the mark. Once you have it close to the mark on the compression stroke you want the rotor pointing to the wire that goes to #1. IF you are using the factory lay out on the cap you may have to remove the distributor move it a bit and drop it back in which usually is a pain because of the oil pump shaft. If you are not using the factory layout simply put the #1 wire on the terminal where the rotor is pointing. You then continue with the rest of the firing order in the proper direction and it should be close enough to start and time with a light. Sometimes because of mechanical obstructions you cant quite get the timing where you want it. You can then either re drop the distributor or move all the wires over one terminal. Not using the factory layout could mean the wires wont quite reach or look nice but aftermarket wires tend to look that way anyway. Its up to you how many times you want to re drop the distributor to get it how you want it.2. Says: Since you don't say what kind of engine I'll give you the generic procedure. Remove the spark plug from the #1 cylinder, put your finger over the hole where the plug goes, turn the engine slowly by hand, when the pressure pushes your finger off, this is the compression stroke, continue moving the crankshaft untill the timing marks line up. If the distributor is installed the rotor should now be pointing to the #1 plug wire. If the distributor is out, you can now install it making sure the rotor points to the #1 plug wire3. Says: Turn the crankshaft clock wise until the TDC marks line up. Check the camshafts to make sure they are lined up with their timing marks. Pull the #1 spark plug and put a wood dowel down the plug hole until it rests on the top of the piston. Move the crankshaft slightly back and forth to find the highest point of piston travel. If the #1 piston is not at the top of it's stroke turn the crankshaft 360° until the dowel comes all the way up. When you are on #1 TDC the distributor rotor should be pointing to the #1 spark plug wire. If not, remove the distributor and not the rotor movement as the distributor drive comes out of it's driving gear. Turn the rotor so that it's in the position so that when you reinstall it and the rotor turns it ends up in the position closest to the #1 plug wire terminal on the distributor cap. start the motor and use a timing light to dial the correct setting in.4. Says: did you take it off? next time before you remove the dist. you mark where the rotor is pointing with a maker that will be able to be seen. the when you pull out the dist. nice and slow you will see the rotor cap move a bit, mark that spot also with a 2 on it meaning the first mark was number one second is number 2 got it? ok so now you have dist. out and trying to find top dead center on number one piston check your timing marks on your eng. to see if it is at top dead center and also stick a pebcil in the spark plug hole and see if your dist is at the top of its stroke if it is then just adust the distributor so that the rotor cap is pointing at number one piston5. Says: For some reason you just can't get the distributer to slip in while the No. 1 plug wire is correct.
Here's what I would do if I didn't want to keep removing my distributer to get it lined; I would just point a plug wire as No. 1 would be, put No. 1's plug wire in the distributer as No. 1, and do the same going around the distributer.
Old trick from an old man.6. Says: Take it out with #1 piston at TDC. Put it in with the rotor facing toward the #1 spark plug hole. Right side spark plug closest to the front. Sometimes it doesn't drop in all the way due to the oil pump shaft.
I could write alot more, but really it would just take to long.
Go get a manual. Or find something else online.7. Says: put the piston up to number 1 then pull your distrutor out and make sure its pointing to num 1 piston Tag: How do you get the distributor on "1" spark plug?