Distributor position

LORI GENTRY

MEMBER
1994 DODGE RAM
5.2L
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
126,031 MILES

I replaced the spark plug wires in my vehicle and in doing so the distributor was loose and picked up and moved out of the engine. When I replaced the wires and plugs it would not crank back it only backfires. How do I get my distributor back into the right place for timing?

1 Reply

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

We have to be certain TDC is really TDC!

This is how you zero things up/ get stuff synchronized to install a distributor

These are good explanations and videos from YouTube. You might soak all of this information I give you in a couple of times before you just jump into the fire.

CLASS 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a2X9mSSlQY

CLASS 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=FHX1yXVyIMg&feature=endscreen

Now, many folks get carried away bumping a starter, I prefer the method below, as it is hard to do it wrong or have to redo it all over, or it is wrong and you do not know it. Now you pull your hair out.

If we do get carried away bumping the starter this way (below) will cut out possible "going too far" with the timing marks .

Now that David and Chad told you how.

Let's do it in slow motion, kind of my way.

Hide your keys/chock your wheels/go to neutral.

Remove number one spark plug, reinstall it, maybe two threads (instead of using your thumb as a plug). Rotate the engine with a wrench or ratchet (not the starter).

When you hear the "hiss" coming by number one plug stop! a friend may be helpful to hear this at number one as the other cylinders hiss internally (usually fainter) when you rotate the engine manually.

Now, we are on/beginning the compression stroke on number one cylinder (piston is still coming up).

We are not up all the way with the piston yet.

Ever so slowly rotate the engine (cw) until your timing mark (line) lines up with zero.
Then stop.

I have found that using the starter for the "bumpage" usually results in "overrunning" the marks, compression kicks it back, etc.

Then you mistakenly rotate on around 180 degrees from where you should be (not saying bad things, but if you are new to this, it is an esay mistake!)

Okay, back to our slow motion tutorial; Now look at the rotor button it should be facing the "mark" you put on the distributor or which ever tower you chose to be number one (textbook or not).

The engine/cam/crank do not care which one it is.

As long as you were at TDC, you placed number one spark plug wire on "that tower" (the one that rotor is pointing to).

Keep us posted.

The Medic