3FE Distributor Install advice
- Thread starter Caribou
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #23
It looks like my rotor is pointing at number 6 or the last spark plug.
When you put your distributor on it's pointing at the number one plug that is the position of the number one plug it may be pointing at the number six but that's with the the cap off that means nothing all that matters is where it's pointing with the cap on
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- #26
Got it. Just need to fit up the cap and see if it the rotor is in line with the number one plug.
Looks pretty close to me, maybe one tooth off. As said, put the cap on and see if the rotor is at #1.
I have done the 1 tooth off thing...it's no fun since you can't get it to run right. Follow the fsm exactly. One fsm picture shows the rotor alignment as you begin to insert the distributor into the block. As you insert the distributor, the rotor turns a bit. The next fsm picture shows the rotor alignment when fully inserted. If you are at tdc and you end up with the rotor as pictured, bolt the distributor down and you will be good.
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- #31
Thanks everyone going to check with the cap
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- #32
Here are the pics from checking the cap and rotor against number one. I put a blue mark on the distributor below the rotor in line with #1.
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- #34
Hope so. Just wonder why the pic in the fsm shows the rotor closer to the bolt hole. Number one on my distributor is behind it.
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- #35
Not sure if it has anything to do with it but the hold down flange in the distributor is centered in the middle of the bolt hole. Doesn't look like there is room to adjust the cam/ crank dots either.
Just thinking of ways to match the fsm pic.
Just thinking of ways to match the fsm pic.
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- #37
Yeah. That's what I'm going to do. Decided to pull the valve cover and replace the gasket and put some fresh paint on it since we're in this far. I was checking out the rocker arm assembly and took some pics to compare to the FSM and what the valve positions should be at TDC. I'll get em posted up tonight for a comparison. Was seriously thinking about adjusting the valve clearance since we're already in there but I didn't see anything on setting cold valves in the FSM. Hate to go back in and do it later but prolly will anyway when we start doing maintenance and inspection of the EFI system.
Yeah valves are supposed to be adjusted hot or at least warm, you can do it cold and make them a hair looser.when you tighten down your valve cover bolts don't over tighten them 8 - 10 pounds and you have to go over them 2 or 3 times to make sure they're all the same torque
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- #39
Well, I decided to keep thinking about this timing situation and read some more FSM. I just could'nt believe that it wouldn't be achievable to get that distributor in like the FSM says. Here's what I found. There is a procedure in the FSM for installing CAM & CRANK gears, and the hint given is to make sure that you're at TDC Compression stroke #6 cylinder. When you do this, the FSM shows the gear marks aligned next to each other. One question though, when putting the distributor back in, TDC needs to be compression stroke #1 cylinder, correct? According to the FSM, anyway. So, at that point I'm thinking the gear marks won't be aligned next to each other anymore. When, I bring mine up on #1 TDC Compression, and since I still have the timing gear cover off, I'm seeing my gear marks (crank & cam) 180 out instead of aligned next to each other. When I look at my valve rockers, number one cylinder shows both barely loose (ck ck) and #6 tight. At this time I also observed the double circle dots on the flywheel aligned with the inspection window needle. When I first put in the distributor, I followed the FSM except for checking the #1 piston at TDC compression. I figured if I got the gear marks next to each other, which also lines up the double circle dots on the flywheel then, I should be in time but I had trouble installing the distributor. Always a tooth off behind the bolt on the distributor plate. Any thoughts?
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- #40
I'll post some pics if i haven't exceeded the thread limit. All I can say is the distributor went in this way correctly, although like everyone says, it took a few tries and the oil pump slot moves every try. Mine worked being closer to 12 o'clock than farther towards 25 degrees. I may spin it by hand again with number one plug out just to make sure, people say, including my brother the chevy guy, that you're probably on the exhaust stroke cause it blows out pressure too. He can't believe that the FSM says to put the cam & crank gear marks together on TDC #6 and distributor at TDC #1. I'm thinking I'm cooking with gas now.