1979 FJ40 2F Timing Issues

[Bolifart]

Hello all,

The other day I wanted to change out my old distributor, spark plugs and cables. I unplugged everything and removed the distributor without paying attention or taking photos. I thought it was an easy swap. Turns out that when I had everything installed keeping in mind the firing order and the gap of the distributor rotor, the car would not start. I found the top dead center for cylinder #1 for firing purposes. At one point it backfired so hard that the muffler silencer exploded. I haven't been able to get the car started since.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

 

[AntFarm]

When you say “change out my distributor” what did you change it with? This might be part of your issue. Follow the FSM procedure to a tee for Installing your distributor. Have a timing light immediately available to set your timing upon startup.

 

[3_puppies]

what month 1979?
what did you change out the distributor with? a Jan 1979+ is a fully electronic unit and rarely goes bad
are you sure you are on the compression stroke? not the exhaust stroke for #1

 

[FJ40Jim]

Can I have the crappy stock dissy & coil/ignitor package that came out?

As puppies says above, pull valve cover to verify that #1 rocker arms are both loose and #6 are tight with BB at pointer.

 

[KY Longhunter]

Hijacking TDC questions:

1 - anybody ever use a TDC whistle or tool ?
2 - is #1 cylinder closest to firewall or radiator?

 

[screw aerodynamics]

Hello all,

The other day I wanted to change out my old distributor, spark plugs and cables. I unplugged everything and removed the distributor without paying attention or taking photos. I thought it was an easy swap. Turns out that when I had everything installed keeping in mind the firing order and the gap of the distributor rotor, the car would not start. I found the top dead center for cylinder #1 for firing purposes. At one point it backfired so hard that the muffler silencer exploded. I haven't been able to get the car started since.
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

Hope you got to the bottom that timing. I just cleaned and re-gapped my points and it runs much better. I'm in Mt. Dora if you're in the area.

 

[1911]

Hijacking TDC questions:

1 - anybody ever use a TDC whistle or tool ?
2 - is #1 cylinder closest to firewall or radiator?

View attachment 2620647View attachment 2620648

#1: Never used one myself; seems to me like an expensive substitute for your thumb or a small ball of toilet paper.

#2: Radiator.