Distributor cap. Please mark cylinder No.s on distributor cap connection.

Hi Richard:
Here's a procedure that has worked for me.
- line timing mark on harmonic balancer with 0 on pointer. This is TDC for #1 cylinder. It will be on either compression, or between exhaust and intake stroke. If the valves are closed it will be compression, so distributor will be lined up to send spark to #1 cylinder.
- Lift off distributor cap. Rotor will be pointing to #1 so connect that cap wire will go to #1 cylinder. I put a dab of black marker on the distributor cap at this wire.
- Install the remaining wires in firing order sequence to the various cylinders.

Your supposed to make a mark all that before you pull the distributor. Did you mark the relationship between distributor body and engine? Then you note where the rotor is pointing, make a scratch mark. When you reinstall the distributor, line up all the marks.

If engine was turned with distributor out, You need to put the #1 piston on tdc of compression stroke. Stab the distributor, which ever spark plug tower the rotor is pointing at/turning into, becomes number 1. Then you follow the firing order around the cap in clockwise direction.

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Distributor

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Inspect/Replace

To Remove

• Disconnect the distributor wiring connector and the vacuum advance hose, if the vehicle is so equipped.
• Remove the distributor cap and note the position of the rotor. Mark the position on the distributor housing.
• On some vehicles, it may be necessary to remove the spark plug wires from the cap prior to cap removal.
• Note the position of the vacuum advance, then remove the distributor holddown bolt and clamp.
• Pull the distributor from the engine. Most distributors will need to be twisted as they are pulled out of their bore.
• Once the distributor is removed, install a shop towel in the distributor opening to keep foreign material out of the engine block.
• The entire assembly should be cleaned thoroughly. Make sure all solvent residue is completely removed.

Installing and Timing a Distributor
The following procedure may be followed to install the distributor and time it to the engine, if all reference marks were made during the removal of the distributor:

• Lubricate the O-ring on the distributor shaft.
• Position the rotor so that it is aligned with the mark made on the distributor housing prior to removal.
• Align the distributor housing with the mark made on the engine block during removal.
• Lower the distributor into the engine block, making sure the distributor drive is fully seated.
• Distributors equipped with a helical drive gear will rotate at the distributor is being installed, causing the distributor to move away from the reference marks.
• Pay attention to how much the rotor moves.
• Remove the distributor and move the rotor backward the same amount. This should allow the shaft to rotate while the distributor is being installed and still be aligned with the reference marks.
• Make sure the distributor housing is fully seated against the engine block. Sometimes it may be necessary to wiggle or rock the distributor to seat it fully into the drive gear.
• Distributors with drive lugs must be mated with the drive grooves in the camshaft. Both are offset to eliminate the possibility of installing a distributor 180 degrees out of time.

The distributor must be aligned with the camshaft drive to seat the distributor in the engine block or cylinder head.

• Rotate the distributor a small amount so the timer core teeth and pick-up teeth are aligned.
• Install the distributor holddown clamp and bolt, leaving the bolt slightly loose.
• Install the spark plug wires in the direction of distributor shaft rotation and in the cylinder firing order.
• Connect the distributor wiring connectors. The vacuum advance hose is usually left disconnected until the timing is set with the engine running.

If the engine has been cranked while the distributor is removed, or no marks were made during removal, use this procedure to reinstall the distributor:
To be sure that the number one cylinder is on its compression stroke, observe the rocker arms to see that they are both moving. Then, rotate the crankshaft one revolution until the rocker arms for the companion to cylinder number one are both moving at TDC (top dead center). Align the timing mark and install the distributor with its rotor pointing to the number one spark plug cable in the distributor cap.

• Remove the spark plug from cylinder #1. Install a test plug in the end of the spark plug wire and position the test plug away from you and cylinder #1.

• Place your thumb over the bore for the spark plug and crank the engine until compression is felt.

• Lightly crank the engine while observing the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley. Once the timing marks are aligned, stop cranking.

• Identify the position for the #1 spark plug wire on the distributor cap.

• Determine which way the distributor shaft will rotate when it is lowered onto the camshaft gear. Then position the rotor so that it will be under the #1 terminal on the distributor cap after the distributor gear is meshed with the camshaft gear.

• After the distributor is installed in the engine, turn the distributor housing slightly so the pickup coil is aligned with the reluctor.

• Install the distributor holddown clamp and bolt. Hand tighten the bolt.

• Connect the pickup leads to the wiring harness.

• Install the spark plug wires onto the distributor cap according to the engine's firing order. Check to make sure everything that was disconnected before the distributor was removed, is now connected. Connect a timing light and prepare the engine for an ignition timing check and adjustment.

Hi there:
Check this removal procedure (See Figures 1 through 5)

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Unfasten the retaining clips (only remove the coil wire if necessary) and lift the distributor cap straight off. It will be easier to install the distributor if the spark plug wiring is left connected to the cap. If the plug wires must be removed from the cap, mark their positions to aid in installation.
3. Remove the dust cover and mark the position of the rotor relative to the distributor body; then mark the position of the distributor body relative to the engine block.
4. Detach the harness assembly connector.
5. Remove the pinch-bolt and lift the distributor straight out, away from the engine. The rotor and body are marked so that they can be returned to the position from which they were removed. Do not turn or disturb the engine (unless absolutely necessary) after the distributor assembly has been removed.

Exploded view of the distributor assembly-6-cylinder engine






Align the mark on the housing with the mark on the shaft-VG30i and VG30E engines





After the distributor assembly has been installed, the rotor should be in this position-VG30i and VG30E engines




After the distributor assembly has been installed, the rotor should be in this position-KA24E engine



INSTALLATIONTiming Not Disturbed

1. Insert the distributor in the block and align ALL matchmarks made during removal.
2. Engage the distributor driven gear with the distributor drive.
3. Install the distributor clamp and secure it with the pinch-bolt.
4. Install the distributor cap and fasten the harness electrical connector.
5. If necessary, install the spark plug wires and coil wire.
6. Start the engine. Check the timing and adjust it if necessary.

Timing Disturbed

1. It is necessary to place the No. 1 cylinder in the firing position to correctly install the distributor. To locate this position, the ignition timing marks on the crankshaft front pulley can be used.
2. Remove the No. 1 cylinder spark plug. Turn the crankshaft until the piston in the No. 1 cylinder is moving up on the compression stroke. This can be determined by placing your thumb over the spark plug hole and feeling the air being forced out of the cylinder. Stop turning the crankshaft when the timing marks indicate TDC or 0 .
3. Oil the distributor housing lightly where the distributor bears on the cylinder block.
4. Install the distributor so that the rotor, which is mounted on the shaft, points toward the No. 1 spark plug terminal tower position when the cap is installed. Of course, you won't be able to see the direction in which the rotor is pointing if the cap is installed, so lay the cap on the top of the distributor and make a mark on the side of the distributor housing just below the No. 1 spark plug terminal. Make sure that the rotor points toward that mark when you install the distributor.

On the VG30i and VG30E engines, align the mark on the distributor shaft with the protruding mark on the housing.

1. When the distributor shaft has reached the bottom of the hole, gently move the rotor back and forth slightly until the driving lug on the end of the shaft enter the slots cut in the end of the oil pump shaft and the distributor assembly slides down into place.

On the VG30i and VG30E engines, the distributor rotor tip should be in the 11 o'clock position.

1. Fasten the distributor hold-down bolt.
2. Install the spark plug into the No. 1 spark plug hole.
3. Install the distributor cap and engage the harness electrical connector.
4. If necessary, attach the spark plug wires and coil wire.
5. Start the engine. Check the timing and adjust it if necessary.

Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I`ll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.

Thank you for using FixYa, have a nice day

It is necessary to place the No. 1 cylinder in the firing position to correctly install the distributor. To locate this position, the ignition timing marks on the crankshaft front pulley are used.

Remove the No. 1 cylinder spark plug. Turn the crankshaft until the piston in the No. 1 cylinder is moving up on the compression stroke. This can be determined by placing your thumb over the spark plug hole and feeling the air being forced out of the cylinder. Stop turning the crankshaft when the timing marks indicate TDC or 0.

Oil the distributor housing lightly where the distributor bears on the cylinder block.

Install the distributor so that the rotor, which is mounted on the shaft, points toward the No. 1 spark plug terminal tower position when the cap is installed. Of course you won't be able to see the direction in which the rotor is pointing if the cap is on the distributor. Lay the cap on the top of the distributor and make a mark on the side of the housing just below the No.1 spark plug terminal plug terminal. Make sure that the rotor points toward that mark when you install the distributor. On the VG30i, align the mark on the distributor shaft with the protruding mark on the housing.

When the distributor shaft has reached the bottom of the hole, move the rotor back and forth slightly until the driving lug on the end of the shaft enter the slots cut in the end of the oil pump shaft and the distributor assembly slides down into place.

When the distributor is correctly installed, the breaker points should be in such a position that they are just ready to break contact with each other or a lobe of the reluctor is aligned with the stator contact. This is accomplished by rotating the distributor body after it has been installed in the engine. Once again, line up the marks that you made before the distributor was removed from the engine. On the VG30i, the distributor rotor should be in the 11:25 o'clock position (between 11 and 12 o'clock).

1. Install the distributor hold-down bolt.
   
2. Install the spark plugs.
   
3. Install the cap, primary wire, and vacuum line(s).
   
4. Install the spark plug leads. Consult the marks made during removal to be sure that the proper lead goes to each plug. Install the high tension wire if it was removed.
   
5. Start the engine. Check the timing and adjust it if necessary.
   
   
   Hope this helps, be sure to upvote if it does :)
   

Remove sparkplugs. Turn the engine by hand/wrench so that number 1 cylinder(closest to the radiator is on the compression stroke at top dead centre(TDC) Do this by closing the plug hole on number 1 cylinder by hand and feeling for pressure as the engingine is rotated. When you feel pressure that is the compression stroke. Now rotate the engine until the mark on the crankshaft damper pulley lines up with the 0 mark on the cambelt cover.


Remove the distributor cap and note where the rotor arm is pointed. That would be the Plug wire number 1 position. Distributor rotation is clockwise so starting from this position connect the plug wires clockwise to cylinders 1-3-4-2. In the diagram the distributor cap is shown as you would see it when looking at the top of the cap(looking from the left side of the engine)


If the distributor was removed then fit the distributor cap. Make a mark on the distributor body correpondinding to where the plug wire 1 would connect to.

Remove the cap and extend the mark to the lip of the distributor so that it would be visible once the ditributor is fitted. Refit the distributor so that once the distributor is fully seated the rotor points to this mark. Note that the rotor will turn as the distributor is being inserted so this may take more than one try to get the mark matched to the rotor. Also check that once seated the holddown bolt hole is more or less in the middle of the slot in the distributor or you may not be able to adjust timing. Adjustment of the ignition timing should be done with the engine at operating temperature. The idle speed should be correct and if you are at high altitude(above 3900 feet/1300 metres) the electrical connection to the boost sensor on the fender must be disconnected. Also disconnect the the vacuum pipe with the white stripes(if fitted) from the vacuum advance mechanism and plug the pipe.

The timing is not adjustable and it is computer controlled, but the distributor must still be clocked in properly and static timed, and here is how it is done.

There is a mark or notch on the distributor housing that the rotor should be pointing to when the engine is on top dead center. This static timing is all that matters and the computer will be able to control the timing as long as the ignition rotor is in that position when the engine is at top dead center.

1. Place the engine at top dead center.

2. Look under the distributor cap and find where the number one terminal runs under the distributor cap, and where that position on the distributor cap corresponds with the distributor housing, and it should match up to a mark or a notch on the distributor housing.

3. With the engine on top dead center the ignition rotor should be pointing to the mark or notch that is on the distributor housing, if it is not then loosen up the distributor and turn the distributor until the ignition rotor is pointing to the mark or notch on the distributor housing, the engine should now be static timed.

With the #1 cylinder up. With the cap on the distributor, mark the distributor where the #1 spark plug wire connects. Remove cap, lower the distributor down into the engine, keeping the mark at roughly 5 o'clock position. Spin the rotor and align the rotor contact with the mark on the distributor as you drop it down into the camshaft gear. You will probably have to repeat this step until you get the mark and rotor aligned. If the mark is not perfectly aligned don't worry just turn the distributor body enough to align it. It is not that critical where the distributor is, as long as the number one spark plug wire is over the rotor contact when the #1 cylinder is at top dead center. You may have to repeat this if you cannot turn the distributor enough to time it correctly due to restrictions like the firewall. This engine turns clockwise so turning the distributor counter clock-wise will advance the timing and clock-wise will ****** it.

Remove cylinder # 1 spark plug, # 1 is the front one on drives side, turn crankshaft pulley to TDC on compression stroke, you'll feel the comperssion at cylinder #1 spark plug hole, follow cylinder # 1 spark plug wire to distributor cap, mark outer part of distributor where # 1 sits, remove distributor and restabe distributor with rotor at mark you made, then set timing.

Firing order is 1342. #1 cylinder is closest to front. (By pulleys)



See Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4
Engine Not Rotated

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. Turn the engine over until No. 1 cylinder is at TDC of the compression stroke.
3. Remove the distributor cap. Remove the wire harness connected to the side of the distributor.
4. Mark the position of the distributor base in relation to the engine block with white paint or other suitable marking material, for reference when reinstalling the distributor.
5. Loosen and remove the distributor hold-down bolt and clamp.
6. Carefully begin lifting the distributor up and out. Once the shaft is clear of the engine compartment, inspect the shaft for cracks in the O-seal, the condition of the shaft drive gear and any other part which could lead to distributor problems in the future.

To install:

1. Check to make sure the engine is still at TDC. Inspect distributor shaft hole to make sure it is free of dirt.
2. Rotate distributor shaft until the painted mark on rotor is pointing toward painted mark on engine block made during removal.
3. Continue rotating rotor slightly so leading edge of the vane is centered in vane the switch stator assembly.
4. Dip entire distributor gear in engine assembly lubricant D9AZ-19579-D or equivalent.

If installing a new distributor, ALWAYS add engine assembly lubricant to the engine oil by pouring it through distributor hole onto the camshaft gear. Run engine at idle for at least five minutes before driving.

1. Rotate distributor in block to align leading edge of vane and vane switch stator assembly. Verify rotor is pointing at No. 1 mark on distributor base.

If vane and vane switch stator cannot be aligned by rotating distributor in cylinder block, remove distributor enough to just disengage distributor gear from camshaft gear. Rotate rotor enough to engage distributor gear on another tooth of the camshaft gear.

1. Install the distributor retaining bolt and tighten so the distributor can just barely be moved.
2. Install the distributor cap and, tighten screws to 18-23 inch lbs. (2.0-2.6 Nm).
3. Reconnect battery cable. Start vehicle, and check timing. If timing needs adjustment, refer to the Ignition Timing section.
4. After timing has been set, tighten distributor hold-down bolt to 17-2 ft. lbs. (23-34 Nm).

Engine Rotated with Distributor Removed

1. If the crankshaft was rotated while the distributor was removed, the engine must be brought to TDC on the compression stroke of the No. 1 cylinder.
2. Remove the No. 1 spark plug. Place a finger over the hole and rotate the crankshaft slowly in the direction of normal rotation until engine compression is felt.
3. When engine compression is felt at the spark plug hole, indicating that the piston is approaching TDC, continue to turn the crankshaft until the timing mark on the pulley is aligned with the 0 mark on the engine front cover.
4. Turn the distributor shaft until the ignition rotor is at the No. 1 firing position.
5. Rotate distributor shaft so the blade on rotor is pointing toward paint mark on distributor base made during removal.
6. Continue rotating rotor slightly so leading edge of the vane is centered in vane switch stator assembly. Verify rotor is pointing at No. 1 mark on distributor base.

If vane and vane switch stator cannot be aligned by rotating distributor in cylinder block, remove distributor enough to just disengage distributor gear from camshaft gear. Rotate rotor enough to engage distributor gear on another tooth of the camshaft gear.

1. Install the distributor retaining bolt and tighten so the distributor can just barely be moved.
2. Install the rotor and distributor cap and connect all wiring. Tighten distributor cap to 18-23 inch lbs. (2.0-2.6 Nm).
3. Reconnect battery cable. Start vehicle, and check timing. If timing needs adjustment, refer to the Ignition Timing section.
4. After timing has been set, tighten distributor hold-down bolt to 17-2 ft. lbs. (23-34 Nm).