Ignition System: Distributor: Installation
- Factory replacement distributor is equipped with a plastic alignment pin in access hole on bottom of distributor housing. See Fig 1. Plastic alignment pin is used to temporarily lock distributor rotor in correct position for cylinder No. 1. Plastic alignment pin must be removed after installing distributor.
- If engine has not been rotated after removing distributor, go to next step. If engine was rotated after removing distributor, rotate crankshaft clockwise (viewed from front of engine) until cylinder No. 1 is at Top Dead Center (TDC) on compression stroke and timing mark on vibration damper aligns with "0" degree timing mark on timing chain cover. DO NOT rotate crankshaft counterclockwise to align timing marks. Go to next step.
- Check position of slot in oil pump drive gear in cylinder block. The slot in oil pump drive gear should be at approximately the 10 o'clock position. Rotate oil pump drive gear if necessary.
- If installing a factory replacement distributor, go to next step. If installing original or used distributor, remove camshaft position sensor from distributor. See Figure. Rotate distributor shaft and install a 3/16" (4.76 mm) diameter drift through proper alignment hole in plastic ring and into access hole in bottom of distributor housing. See Fig 2. This prevents distributor shaft from rotating. Go to next step.CAUTION: There are 4 different alignment holes in the plastic ring. Ensure proper alignment hole is used when installing drift into plastic ring and distributor housing.
- Ensure distributor mounting area on cylinder block is clean. Install NEW gasket on distributor. Install distributor rotor on distributor shaft. Position distributor so center of hold-down bolt area on distributor housing is at 1 o'clock position on cylinder block. Install distributor so distributor shaft engages with slot in oil pump drive gear. It may be necessary to slightly rotate distributor during installation.
- When distributor is fully seated, the distributor rotor should be at 3 o'clock position and center of hold-down bolt area on distributor housing should align with distributor hold-down bolt area on cylinder block.
- Install hold-down clamp and distributor hold-down bolt. Tighten distributor hold-down bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- If installing a factory replacement distributor, remove plastic alignment pin from distributor housing. If installing original or used distributor, remove drift from distributor housing and reinstall camshaft position sensor. On all applications, install distributor cap and remaining components. Base ignition timing is nonadjustable, as ignition timing and timing advance are controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
- If engine has not been rotated after removing distributor, go to next step. If engine was rotated after removing distributor, rotate crankshaft clockwise (viewed from front of engine) until cylinder No. 1 is at Top Dead Center (TDC) on compression stroke and timing mark on vibration damper aligns with TDC timing mark on timing chain cover. Go to next step.
- Ensure distributor mounting area on cylinder block is clean. Install NEW "O" ring on distributor if necessary. Apply light coat of engine oil on "O" ring.
- Position distributor rotor so it aligns with terminal for cylinder No. 1 on distributor cap. Install distributor. Ensure distributor engages with slot in oil pump drive gear. Install hold-down clamp and distributor hold-down bolt. DO NOT tighten distributor hold-down bolt at this time.
- Rotate distributor until distributor rotor aligns with cylinder No. 1 alignment mark on camshaft position sensor. See Figure. Tighten distributor hold-down bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . To install remaining components, reverse removal procedure.
- Base ignition timing is nonadjustable. Base ignition timing and timing advance are controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Distributor position is used to determine the fuel system synchronization. To check for correct distributor position and fuel system synchronization, see FUEL SYSTEM SYNCHRONIZATION under FUEL SYSTEM in ON-VEHICLE ADJUSTMENTS article.