distributor removal

[rbk587]

i have conceeded the fact that my firing issue is pickup coil.....my question is does my k-5 have to be a tdc before removing distributor?i have done it in other vehicles and just marked the rotor and such and never had a problem but may have jus been lucky thanks for any help or advice

 

[454Sub]

You can take it out any which way you please, as long as you put it back exactly the way you took it out. Make sure you unhook the timing wire before you go to retime it, or it wont be right. Its to the bottom right of the brake booster, single wire plug outside of some 3/4in or so looming.

 

[rbk587]

thank ya sir thats what i thought but then mouths start saying different but knew my buds on this forum would know

 

[4xcrazy]

I always reset the engines to TDC anyways before installing a distributor, I dunno, maybe just me, I'm weird that way. I realize it can be done without it, but it's more of a basic thing, set everything up like you would for an initial reassembly.

 

[dyeager535]

Using TDC as a baseline just makes sure you can't forget where it needs to point.

 

[chulisohombre]

Don't have to put it there but as others said I do just to make sure it is already set in the correct position to drop the dizzy in the right way.

 

[4X4HIGH]

If you know the distributor is installed correctly right now then I just pull the cap and crank the engine until the rotor points straight at the grill then mark the distributor body to the intake manifold and pull it out. To install it just make sure that the rotor points straight at the grill again and then turn the distributor body until your marks line up on the intake. Now I would suggest you time the engine properly to make sure the timing is EXACT.

 

[wazzabie]

What is the trick to get it just at tdc?

 

[4X4HIGH]

What is the trick to get it just at tdc?

Pull the #1 plug and have a helper crank the engine while you have a finger over that plug hole and when you feel compression start to blow your finger away from the have have the helper stop cranking then put a socket on the crank bolt and continue to turn the engine over clockwise until the timing mark is lined up to ZERO.

 

[454Sub]

Keep in mind if you crank the engine over after removing the dizzy, the oil pump drive 9 out of 10 times wont line up with the cam gear. Meaning you will need to get a long flathead screwdriver and turn the oil pump manually till you can drop the dizzy in the right spot.

 

[4xcrazy]

Or as I do, drop the dizzy to where you want it, if it doesnt drop all the way into the oil pump drive slot, have someone just bump the starter until it does drop. Once it lines up together, it usually just falls into place. It's already on the drive gear so you should be good to go when lacing your wires

 

[454Sub]

I have done it that way too, but I broke an oil pump drive keyway slot thingy once doing it, so use caution when doing it that way. No way to know its broken till it fires up.