Removal & Installation

PATH: Engine Electrical > Distributor Ignition System > Distributor > Removal & Installation

Removal & Installation 1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section. 2. Disconnect negative battery cable. 3. Disconnect spark plug wires and the coil leads from the distributor. 4. Disconnect electrical connector from the distributor. 5. Remove distributor cap fasteners and the cap. 6. Using a marker, matchmark the rotor-to-housing and housing-to- intake manifold positions so that they can be matched during installation. 7. Remove distributor hold-down bolt. 8. Remove distributor from the engine. 9. As the distributor is being removed from the engine the rotor will move in a counterclockwise direction about 42°. This will appear as slightly more than one clock position. 10. Place a second mark on the distributor to mark the position of the rotor segment. This will help to ensure the correct rotor alignment when installing the distributor. PATH: Engine Electrical > Distributor Ignition System > Distributor > Installation > Timing Disturbed Timing Disturbed 1. Remove the No. 1 cylinder spark plug. Turn the engine using a socket wrench on the large bolt on the front of the crankshaft pulley. Place a finger near the No. 1 spark plug hole and turn the crankshaft until the piston reaches Top Dead Center (TDC). As the engine approaches TDC, you will feel air being expelled by the No. 1 cylinder. If the position is not being met, turn the engine another full turn (360 degree). Once the engine position is correct, install the spark plug. 2. Align the cast arrow in the distributor housing, the driven gear roll pin and the pre-drilled indent hole in the distributor driven gear. If the driven gear is installed correctly, the dimple will be approximately 180° opposite the rotor segment when it is installed in the distributor.

Installing the distributor 180° out of alignment, or locating the rotor in the wrong holes, may cause a no start condition or can cause premature engine damage and wear. 3. Make sure the rotor is pointing to the cap hold-down mount nearest the flat side of the housing. 4. Using a long screwdriver, align the oil pump drive shaft in the engine in the mating drive tab in the distributor. 5. Install the distributor in the engine. Make sure the spark plug towers are perpendicular to the centerline of the engine. 6. When the distributor is fully seated, the rotor segment should be aligned with the pointer cast in the distributor base. The pointer will have a “6'' cast into it indicating a 6 cylinder engine. If the rotor segment is not within a few degrees of the pointer, the distributor gear may be off a tooth or more. If this is the case repeat the process until the rotor aligns with the pointer. 7. Install the cap and fasten the mounting screws. 8. Tighten the distributor mounting bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm). 9. Engage the electrical connections and the spark plug wires. PATH: Engine Electrical > Distributor Ignition System > Distributor > Installation > Timing Not Disturbed Timing Not Disturbed 1. If installing a new distributor, place two marks on the new distributor housing in the same position as the marks on the old distributor housing. 2. Align the rotor with the second mark made on the distributor. 3. Install the distributor in the engine making sure that the mounting hole in the distributor hold-down base is aligned over the mounting hole in the intake manifold. 4. As you are installing the distributor, watch the rotor move in a clockwise direction about 42°. 5. Once the distributor is fully seated, the rotor should be aligned with the first mark made on the distributor housing. If the rotor is not aligned with the first mark made on the housing, the distributor and camshaft teeth have meshed one or more teeth out of alignment. If this is the case, remove the distributor and reinstall it so that all the marks are aligned. 6. Install hold-down bolt and tighten the bolt to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm). 7. Install distributor cap and engage the electrical connector to the distributor. 8. Install spark plug wires and coil leads. 9. Connect negative battery cable.