Distributer and yes i suck at spelling
OK should the distributer move at all? not the cap i mean the whole thing.... it moves up and down when you pull on it.. about a millimeter maybe less and turns side to side about 4 millimeters maybe more.... now if i am correct in thinking if that thing can move it would F*** spark timing????? any sugestions? i dont want to buy a whole new one.... I was planing on cap and wires but a whole new one is like $130.....
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tighten the mounting bolt. Under the front side of it. 3 o'clock position. Yes that will change your timing. If you don't have a timing light take it to a shop to have it timed and tightened.
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As far as I know the distributor is locked in place.
Everyone Ive talked to says the timing cannot be changed by rotating the distibutor. The computer takes care of it. my .02cents.
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Man that sucks I really cant afford anything shop wise I will just tighten it down and hope for the best its an 87 so i dont know if the computer handles the timing
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Have you tuned it up?
Plugs wires cap rotor etc. Gap the plugs right. There also ignition upgrades too.
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Advance Auto is showing one for a 87 4.0 for $54.00
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...EAMS_516400590___ |
The bottom of the distributor shaft is, if memory serves, a gear that mates with the camshaft. On an '87, you might be able to change the timing, I don't know, but the gear should have just a tiny bit of backlash/movement. Up and down? A milimeter does not sound like a big deal.
Is this thing running poorly? If it runs well...tighten the hold-down bolt and forget it. If it runs bad, drop a new distributor in there and time it. I don't ever remember changing plugs and wires and seeing a dramatic improvement. Cap and rotor, yes. Wires have, for me, only been a problem in damp weather and when plugs get so bad they misfire, it's usually just one...then another a month later...then another three months later. They don't all go at once which I think is why I never see major improvement. If mine is missing a bit, I check plug gap. If plugs are bad (rare), I replace. |
You're going to have some movement, as long as the thing is running good don't worry about it.
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Originally Posted by Bustedback
(Post 646842)
You're going to have some movement, as long as the thing is running good don't worry about it.
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Are you talking about the rotor blade under the cap? Or are you talking about the distributor assembly?
The rotor shaft its self will have a little bit of play "up down" shouldn't be left or right. The hole assembly cap and shaft from block needs to be tight. |
yes it was loose tighten it down and i have no problems it was running exactly the same before i tightened it i am going to do the plugs when i pull the head.. wires i decided that there really should be much of a difference between new and what is on there.... I am still at a loss about new cap and rotor... the one that is on there doesnt really look old... it is the exact one i looked at in autozone only thing i dont know about are how good the points are... but i know nothing about things like that.... trying to cut costs down as i am about to under take a S*** storm..... new fluid/seals on front and rear axles.... new oil pan gasket and M167HVS oil pump.. pulling the head doing a head gasket, port and polish, maybe deck it... new trans pan gasket and filter... since i have to undo the front shocks and steering dampener to get the oil pan out anyway i figure now would be a good time to replace them.... I was just planning on getting the cheapo's from autozone $16.99 each because down the line i will do a lift and have to get new ones anyway.. Any thoughts on anything i might be over looking? total for everything above so far is under $225 its $250 if i get the cap and rotor.... still not sure if i should? if it runs ok now should i do the cap and rotor?
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Doing the cap and rotor would be a good idea also check your timing with a timing light.
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I put a new Distributor in my '89. It DOES matter if you don't mark EXACTLY where things were when you removed them. I didn't mark mine, put the new one in and it didn't even start. So I had to put cylinder #1 at TDC and align the distributor and rotor to match it. MUCH easier if you just mark everything first... Learned my lesson....
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Originally Posted by Ender
(Post 647700)
I put a new Distributor in my '89. It DOES matter if you don't mark EXACTLY where things were when you removed them. I didn't mark mine, put the new one in and it didn't even start. So I had to put cylinder #1 at TDC and align the distributor and rotor to match it. MUCH easier if you just mark everything first... Learned my lesson....
Amen. I learned my lesson so many years ago I forgot when it was. I'll be everyone on this list that has messed with cars very much has done the same. These days, I label and take pictures. |
Originally Posted by Mcwille117
(Post 647652)
... still not sure if i should? if it runs ok now should i do the cap and rotor?
Nope. My XJ is in great condition...sorta...it's not a beater, but it ain't no spring chicken either. I fix what breaks and leave the other stuff until it breaks. If it runs good, save your money. |
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