Distributor Rotor Appears out of Alignment?

[DeskJock]

Hello all. I'm stumped. Just getting ready to pull out the AFI System from my 1975 FJ40, and, I'm noticing that at Top Dead Center ( TDC) (( or at 7° BTDC); the rotor is essentially pointed at the firewall; not a little right of Cylinder #4. And, before I continue, I'd like to get some feedback.

Purchased the FJ40 MARCH 2024. Overall the Rig has been running good; but, issues with throttle consistency has caused me to look for a resolution. during that process; either the Dwell Angle controller or the ECU - failed. Causing me to to convert the FJ40 back to stock.

What has me stumped is, I think I could understand the engine running if distributor was out 180°, but, in this configuration is out around 12° 'ish.

Note that I have had used a timing light when the engine was running. Spark on #1 displayed TDC on flywheel ( TDC is what AFI specified for the their ignition system).

Is the distributor currently installed misaligned?

 

[Pighead]

It's not uncommon for someone to "clock" the distributor for clearance, like a vacuum diaphragm bumping into an oil filter. The engine does not care as long as the plugwires are clocked as well. If it's been running good then that's been done.

 

[DeskJock]

Interesting. Clocked, Never heard of that. Thanks for the information.

In looking at the new Distributor, the vacuum advance diaphragm - might actually touch the oil filter in the factory orientation. I hadn't considered at a OEM distributor wouldn't fit. Interesting ...

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Pighead]

I hadn't considered at a OEM distributor wouldn't fit.

When the vacuum advance distributor was introduced the oil filter was elsewhere, it fit at the time.

 

[DeskJock]

When the vacuum advance distributor was introduced the oil filter was elsewhere, it fit at the time.

Ah - that makes sense. LOL the FSM is more of a guideline!!

 

[DeskJock]

I finally understand why there is a 7* mark on the flywheel. In the stock configuration- you don’t need a timing light to set the distributor.

you just need to set the 7* mark on the flywheel and open the point at the #1 plug - and it’s set.